Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú is calling on the Irish Prison Service to end temporary release for violent criminals, after figures revealed that 558 people received it in Ireland in the past five months.
The figures were released to Ní Mhurchú under the Freedom of Information Act, 2014, and detail the number of prisoners who have been granted temporary release across Ireland for offences such as attempted murder, assault, burglary, fraud and weapons offences since 23 June. The Fianna Fáíl MEP described the numbers as ‘truly shocking’, and criticised prison authorities for releasing prisoners with charge sheets for these crimes.
Through releasing the figures, she said that temporary release should only be considered in limited circumstances for non-violent offenders, and not in the “widespread way” it has been implemented today.
Across the 558 people who were granted temporary release since 23 June, the figures include 144 people who received it for controlled drug offences, 125 for theft and related offences, and a total of 76 people for road and other traffic offences. There were 45 individuals who were given temporary release for charges relating to attempted murder and assaults, while 38 received it for burglary and related offences.
Ní Mhurchú highlighted that funding has recently been granted to progress the development of a new prison at Thorton Hall in North Dublin, as part of a widespread focus from Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan on creating more prison spaces.
A plan to deliver almost 1,000 additional prison spaces across Ireland was announced in June. In addition, Minister O’Callaghan announced in July that €2.180 billion in funding was secured for major capital projects in the Justice sector to take place from 2026-2030, as part of the National Development Plan. It marks an increase of €800 million from the previous National Development Plan in 2021. A total of €495 million will be allocated to the Irish Prison Service from 2026-2030, which will allow for substantial work to be completed on the new prison at Thornton Hall.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
