Over 200 prisoners released temporarily for Christmas

Over 200 prisoners have been temporarily released from Ireland's jails for Christmas.

Around 4,000 remain behind bars over the festive season and visiting hours are limited today.

Governor at Wheatfield Prison in Dublin Colm Bartley has said prisoners will be thinking about those on the outside today.

“It is a hard day in the prison for people because everybody automatically thinks about their family outside.”

“I suppose it is a time for people to reflect and say I’m in prison today because I’ve done whatever. That I deserve to be here and I’m depriving my family,” said Bartley.