New figures on criminals out on temporary release 'truly shocking'

Some 45 of those who were listed as being on temporary release had been convicted of attempts or threats to murder, assaults, harassment, and other offences; eight had been convicted of weapons offences; and 12 of robbery, extortion, and hijacking offences.

'Temporary release should only be considered in limited circumstances for non-violent offenders, and not in the widespread way it is being implemented today,' said Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

A victims' organisation has claimed the justice system is weighted in favour of the offender after it emerged that 45 prisoners who have committed serious or violent offences were on temporary release.

Figures released under Freedom of Information (FOI) to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú show that as of June 23, some 558 men and women were on temporary release from prisons. 

This included 45 who were listed as having been convicted of attempts or threats to murder, assaults, harassment, and other offences; eight who had been convicted of weapons offences; 12 of robbery, extortion, and hijacking offences; and 20 of offences against the Government.

The largest numbers of temporary release were granted to 144 people who had been convicted of drugs offences and 125 of theft. 

A further 76 were convicted of road offences, 38 for burglary, and 36 for fraud.

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Ms Ní Mhurchú described figures provided to her by prison authorities as "truly shocking". 

She said that "attempted murderers, burglars, violent criminals, and fraudsters are being routinely afforded temporary release when they should be behind bars".

According to Ms Ní Mhurchú, "temporary release should only be considered in limited circumstances for non-violent offenders, and not in the widespread way it is being implemented today".

'Victim’s voice falls on deaf ears'

Joan Deane of victims' advocacy group AdVIC said the figures "underline the core failing of the Irish criminal justice system, which is weighed in favour of the offender and has forgotten its role in terms of the message custodial sentences are meant to serve as a deterrent and to show society that justice has been served".

"What’s particularly concerning around attempts or threats to murder is that in the majority of cases the offender and victim, as well as their family and friends, live in the same community," she said.

"To potentially bump into someone who has inflicted trauma onto you or a loved one can be extremely distressing, and we feel that there is no consideration given to this perspective."

She said that "as usual, the victim’s voice falls on deaf ears" and the latest information underlines AdVIC’s concern that its members are the only people who serve a real-life sentence in Ireland.

"We are forced to deal with the loss of a loved one forever," she said. 

"So the idea that someone who has attempted or threatened to kill someone can be granted temporary release is beyond farce. We are heartened by justice minister Jim O’Callaghan’s first year in office and the efforts he has made so far, so we hope to see him take action in this regard also.”

Prison overcrowding

Last week, a report from the Inspector of Prisons said a significant number of prisoners are being held in conditions that could only be described as “inhumane and degrading” due to overcrowding. 

The inspector called for “immediate action” from the Government to address the ongoing crisis in the system.

The annual report of the Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) said there were 31 deaths in prison custody in 2024.