138 temporary release applications approved for those in Irish prisons this Christmas

Eva Osborne

138 prisoners will be granted varying periods of temporary release from Irish prisons this Christmas, the Irish Prison Service has confirmed.

This compares to 139 approved applications in 2023, 129 in 2022, 70 in 2021, and 37 in 2020, and 113 in 2019.

In 2020 and 2021 the numbers were greatly impacted by Covid-related conditions, the prison service said.

The periods of release vary from a few hours up to seven nights, and all releases are subject to stringent conditions and any offender who breaks these conditions may be arrested and returned immediately to prison by the gardaí.

Many of the prisoners being released are nearing the end of their sentences and the overriding concern when considering the applications is the safety of the public, the Irish Prison Service said.

In addition to compassionate and humane considerations, other criteria taken into account include the nature and gravity of the offence, length of sentence served to date, prior record on temporary release, behaviour while in custody and previous criminal history.

The sensitivities of victims are an issue that has also been taken into account. Additional specific conditions will also apply in relation to victim cases.

Furthermore all registered victims with the Irish Prison Service Victim Liaison Service will be informed in the cases where prisoners are receiving Christmas Temporary Release