New law due after offender walks free

Emergency legislation is being drafted to close a legal loophole on suspended sentences after a prisoner walked free from court on the grounds his detention was unconstitutional.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said last night she would be asking the Government to approve the legislation at its next meeting with a view to having it enacted as soon as possible.

However, a legal expert who warned of the problems almost a year ago, said it may be possible to keep using the existing legislation as it retained sufficient powers that were not problematic.