O’Donoghue to be released ‘in normal way’

PRISON Service bosses last night said Wayne O’Donoghue’s release from prison tomorrow would be handled in the same way as that of any other inmate, unless there was a threat to his safety or public order.

“There is no obligation on the Irish Prison Service to spirit prisoners away or shield them from publicity,” said a spokesman last night. “But there is an obligation on the service to maintain, insofar as is possible, safety and good order in events involving prisoners.”

The spokesman declined to comment on O’Donoghue’s case specifically, but acknowledged few cases have generated as much publicity.