The court also heard that Shaw’s lawyers needlessly spent half a day arguing the minister’s initial refusal was “unjust”, as they never checked their emails to learn the decision had already been reversed.

A new law extending the minimum jail time that murderers serve hasn’t been activated yet — so families bereaved by murder are begging Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan to implement the Parole Act 2019, writes Liz Dunphy

There is one area of Irish law that does attempt to answer the question about the role of justice after a prisoner is freed to rejoin society.

Rochestown murderer Peter Whelan will be locked up until at least 2025 under the new Parole Act, the Government has confirmed.

Families of homicide victims renewed calls at the weekend for the Government to back legal proposals which would allow for minimum terms to be applied to murderers.

A group representing the families of murder and manslaughter victims has called on the Government to bring about changes that would mean killers are not eligible for parole until their minimum sentence has been served.

The sister of a woman murdered by her husband has hit out at the Parole Board after being told he is being considered for outside visits with his family.

The sister of Siobhan Kearney, who was murdered by her husband Brian, says the idea that he could be allowed out of jail is "immoral".

Ireland is near the top of the table of 47 European nations for the number of life sentence inmates in prison.

Ireland is near the top of the table of 47 European nations for the number of life sentence inmates in prison.

Prisoners being released from life sentences can be barred from returning to the community where they committed their crime.

He wants tougher restrictions on released prisoners.

Notorious killer Catherine Nevin had nowhere to go when she was first given temporary release from prison and only left when she was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

The release of black cab rapist John Worboys from a prison in England has been put on hold after victims won the first step in a legal challenge.

Two national newspapers in the UK have threatened to launch a legal challenge if the UK's Parole Board does not disclose its reasons for approving the release of black cab rapist John Worboys from prison.

The head of the Parole Board has said draft legislation increasing the minimum length of time from seven to 12 years before which an inmate can be considered for release needs to be revisited.

Leslie Van Houten has been in prison for more than 40 years for two brutal murders she helped commit 48 years ago.

Long-term inmates are being kept in prison despite being eligible for parole because there are no facilities on the outside to support them.

An 89-year-old sister-in-law of the late well-known Limerick solicitor, Gordon Holmes, is distressed over her son-in-law taking her to court in a dispute over a property in the holiday resort of Kilkee.

More than 100 sex offenders living in communities across the country are subject to monitoring as part of post-release supervision orders.

The Government says it will not oppose new legislation from Fianna Fáil that will reform the parole system.

Families of homicide victims here have renewed calls for minimum prison terms for murder following the 23-year sentence handed down to Alexander Pacteau.

Murderer and predator Graham Dwyer was taken to the basement of Mountjoy Prison yesterday afternoon.

THE trial and conviction of Graham Dwyer for the sadistic, almost satanic, murder of Elaine O’Hara transfixed and shocked this society.

Police killer Harry Roberts has been released from prison, despite calls from relatives of his victims, politicians and senior police for him to stay behind bars.

Almost three-quarters of cases involving serious offenders looking to be released from prison are related to drink and drugs.

Murderers and other long-term prisoners are spending an average of 17½ years behind bars before being release, according to the Parole Board of Ireland's annual report.

The 30-year-old rapist of two children joins 12 other sex offenders serving a life sentence in Irish prisons. While he will be able to start applying for parole after he serves seven years, the average term of life sentences is just over 17 years.

Tracey Connelly – the mother of Baby P – has been released from a British prison, it has emerged.

The average prison term served by life-sentenced prisoners increased by more than 22% in the space of two years, according to the Department of Justice.

A key State body has indicated its support for Oireachtas proposals that prisoners who have engaged in rehabilitation should be able to get out of jail earlier.

Tracey Connelly – the mother of Baby P – is to be released from prison in England.

The mother of Baby P could be freed from jail within days when her case is considered by the UK body responsible for deciding whether prisoners can be safely released into the community.

The father of James Bulger has hit out after one of his son’s killers was released from prison for a second time, and declared he believes he will offend again.

The father of James Bulger has hit out after one of his son’s killers was released from prison for a second time and declared he believes he will offend again.

A scathing review of a parole system in Australia has criticised a decision to set a “recidivist serious, violent, sexual offender” loose months before he killed Irishwoman Jill Meagher.

Jailed killer John Dundon knew he was ‘going down’ for the murder of Shane Geoghegan, prison insiders have said.

A couple who left a four-year-old boy alone to die after subjecting him to months of “unprecedented” starvation and horrifying cruelty have both been jailed for at least 30 years.

The parents of murdered toddler James Bulger have spoken of their horror at the decision to release one of their son’s killers from prison.

The father of murdered British toddler James Bulger said the decision to release one of his son's killers from prison "filled him with terror".

Jon Venables, one of the child killers of toddler James Bulger, has been granted parole after he was sent back to jail for accessing child pornography, sources revealed today.

The majority of those sentenced under mandatory minimum 10-year laws for drug dealing are “drug mules rather than high-level drug barons”, according to the State’s legal advisory body.

Clive Sharp has today pleaded guilty to the murder of Irish vet Catherine Gowing.

Inmates jailed for less than five years should have their sentences halved to tackle chronic overcrowding, campaigners have said today.

The former governor of Mountjoy Prison has said the release of Malcolm MacArthur is “a positive step” and said it may have happened sooner were it not for political pressure.

The government has said that no decision has been taken on whether to grant temporary release to Catherine Nevin, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of her husband Tom Nevin in 1996.

A victims’ group has criticised the lack of victim representation on the Parole Board after two candidates it put forward for nomination failed to be appointed by Justice Minister Alan Shatter.

Killers and rapists sentenced to life in prison are serving 17 and a half years in jail, on average, before release, figures show.