134 prisoners home for Christmas

A TOTAL of 134 prisoners will be granted temporary release this Christmas, it was confirmed yesterday.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said the numbers freed under the Criminal Justice Act 1960 represents approximately 2.5% of inmates nationwide.

More than half of those being released are serving their sentences in lowersecurity institutions including the Training Unit Semi-Open Prison, Loughan House and Shelton Abbey open centres.