Irishman released from Thai prison

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that a Co Monaghan man serving a 13-year sentence for murder has been released from prison in Thailand.

Forty-four-year-old Colin Martin from Carrickmacross was convicted of murdering a New Zealand man in 1997 and has spent eight years in jail.

Mr Martin has always protested his innocence and has said he was convicted of killing New Zealander Brett Holsworth on the basis of a statement of a witness who is now dead and a confession which he claims was made after being tortured by police.

He was detained in the notorious Bangkok Hilton where he was shackled in chains for more than two years and forced to share a cell with up to 30 other inmates.

The situation only improved after representations from the Irish Commission for Prisoners overseas.

He had a chance to serve the remainder of his sentence in Ireland but refused, saying that he had no intention of returning home without having his name cleared.

It is understood he was released on Tuesday and immediately taken to another jail 60 miles away.

He was detained overnight until his deportation orders were signed and has since returned to Bangkok for his flight home.