Ahern defends Killeen amid prisoner controversy

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is defending Junior Minister Tony Killeen amid the controversy surrounding his attempts to seek early release for a convicted murderer.

It emerged earlier this week that Mr Killeen's constituency office in Co Clare had written four letters to the Minister for Justice requesting early release or temporary release for Christopher Cooney.

Mr Cooney is serving a life sentence for the murder of Robert Lynch in Ennis 16 years ago.

The Junior Minister is insisting that he was unaware his staff was writing such letters and is refusing to resign over the controversy.

Asked about the matter in Cork this morning, the Taoiseach appeared to defend his minister, asking was it wrong for prisoners to be released on humanitarian or welfare grounds.