Ex-jail chief: Lillis’ comments arrogant

Former Mountjoy Prison governor John Lonergan described the reported comments of Eamonn Lillis after his release — “I’ve done my time” — as “arrogant” and “upsetting” for people.

However, the well-known one-time prison chief said he backed measures by the Irish Prison Service to assist inmates such as Lillis by educating them, assisting them on the day of their release, and setting up support structures for them afterwards.

He said the release of Lillis in a controlled manner from Wheatfield Prison on Saturday morning — after he refused to leave early, as planned, on Friday — would have been done with the assistance of officers.