Reports: McArthur being prepared for release

The prison service is reportedly preparing to release one of Ireland’s most notorious murderers.

Malcolm McArthur has been in prison for 20 years after being convicted in 1982 of murdering a 27-year-old nurse, Bridie Gargan, with a lump hammer.

He was also charged with murdering farmer Donal Dunne, but that charge was eventually dropped.

McArthur’s case gripped the nation because he was arrested in the home of then Attorney General Patrick Connolly, who was subsequently forced to resign.

The convicted murderer was moved to a lower security section of Mountjoy three years ago and the prison service is now reportedly preparing to move him to an open prison to prepare for his release.

The ultimate decision on his freedom lies with the current Justice Minister Michael McDowell.