Inmates granted early release to relieve pressure on jails

Inmates are being granted early release to relieve pressure on some Irish jails.

An investigation by the Irish Independent has found that one man sentenced to more than three months in prison for his involvement in a hit-and-run incident was released from Mountjoy prison after just 24 hours.

Last month, the number of prisoners in Irish jails passed the 4,000 mark for the first time in the history of the State.