Proposals to reduce sentences for offenders who agree to be electronically tagged

OFFENDERS will be able to avoid a prison sentence or be released early if they agree to be electronically tagged, under proposals announced by the Justice Minister Michael McDowell yesterday.

The tagging of offenders will be part of an amendment to a new Criminal Justice Bill making its way through the Oireachtas.

Mr McDowell announced the new sentencing powers at a meeting of prison governors in Portlaoise yesterday.