Killer among violent inmates on temporary release

The Government has been accused of creating a highly dangerous ‘revolving-door’ prison system after it was revealed that a convicted killer and dozens more violent offenders were among more than 500 prisoners on temporary release this week.

As well as the killer, attempted murderers, kidnappers, and people with convictions for weapons and explosives offences were among those released.

Fianna Fáil’s spokesman on justice, Niall Collins, said dangerous criminals were “roaming free” while the justice minister abused temporary release policy to massage prison figures.