Crackdown on temporary releases

New laws are being drawn up to prevent criminals convicted of drug and sex offences from being granted temporary releases for Christmas and family occasions.

Justice Minister John O’Donoghue is expected to complete a new bill within weeks to end the practice of letting those convicted of drug and sex crimes from getting short-term releases from jail.

The practice had been banned by Minister O’Donoghue when he went into office in 1997.

However, last year the High Court overturned the ban and since then a limited number of inmates convicted for drug offences have been availing of temporary releases.

There are also indications that criminals who have attacked women and children could also be covered by the new bill.