‘Model prisoner’ Callely gets bail

Jailed former senator Ivor Callely has been granted bail at the High Court, pending the outcome of his challenge to the refusal of the minister for justice to grant him temporary release from prison.

High Court President Nicholas Kearns said the balance of justice favoured admitting the former Fianna Fáil politician to bail, pending the outcome of his judicial review action against the minister and the governor of Wheatfield Prison over refusals to grant him either temporary release or enhanced remission.

The judge accepted arguments from Callely’s lawyers that his case would become moot if he was not granted bail. The judge also agreed with Callely’s lawyers he has been a model prisoner, did not represent a flight risk and was not at risk of re-offending.