Ireland tops lead table for those serving life sentences in prison

Ireland is near the top of the table of 47 European nations for the number of life sentence inmates in prison. It is third, with the North at the top, followed by Greece, a major report by the Council of Europe shows.

The Republic also has higher rates of escapes from penal institutions — all from Oberstown Children Detention Centre. In addition, Ireland has higher rates than average of inmates serving sentences for rapes and other sexual offences.