Ten prisoners electronically tagged and released early

TEN prisoners have been electronically tagged and given early release as part of a pilot scheme.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said that, if the scheme works, he will extend it within the general prison population. However, he said he “wasn’t sure” if sex offenders could be included.

Last April, the Irish Examiner revealed the Prison Service was setting up the scheme using satellite tracking technology. Only low-risk inmates would take part, the service said.