EX-DEALER'S COUNCIL HOUSE RUINED IN FIRE

TWO units of Tralee Fire Brigade were called to a fire at the home of
self-confessed drug dealer Michael Bentley in Tralee yesterday afternoon.

Bentley claims he was abducted from his home on New Year's Day by men
suspected of being members of the IRA in North Kerry.

Yesterday the ground floor of the house, at 128 Shanakill, where he lives
with his partner Joanne Purcell and their five children aged between five
years and two months, was damaged by fire.

The fire started at 4.00 pm and Tralee gardai have detained a female in
relation to the incident.

Yesterday's fire is not connected with the alleged abduction, gardai said.

Last night, the Shanakill Resident's Association said they do not want
Michael Bentley back in the local authority housing estate if and when the
damage to his house is repaired.

"We utterly condemn the abduction on New Year's Day. We are liaising with
the gardai and with Tralee UDC with regard to Michael Bentley and we do not
support vigilante abductions, if that is what took place," John McMahon of
the Shanakill Resident's Committee said.

"But we don't want them back here. Old ladies on this estate are terrified
to leave their own houses because of the traffic of youths bombed out of
their minds up and down to 128.

"Michael Bentley says he has given up dealing in drugs. We think
otherwise," John McMahon said.

He said the Resident's Association was getting bad press and being
portrayed as bully boys since they marched on the home of Michael Bentley
last June. "This is a human story. There are five small children involved
here," he said.