Hundreds of people are being detained for immigration related reasons in overcrowded conditions alongside criminals in the country’s prisons, it emerged today.

MORE than nine out of 10 juvenile offenders and their victims are happy with a garda programme bringing them together, research shows.

PROPOSALS to row back on legislation raising the age of criminal responsibility were strongly criticised yesterday by children’s groups and criminologists.

LEGAL history was made yesterday after a prison reform group won the right to take court action against the State on behalf of mentally ill prisoners.