Seven children are to be immediately released from Oberstown Detention Centre in Dublin after the High Court ruled that young offenders are entitled to remission of their sentences - the same as prisoners in adult jails.
It means that all young offenders who are of good behaviour and have served three quarters of their sentences are entitled to early release.
It follows a High Court ruling today - in a case taken by a 17-year-old boy who claimed his continued detention at Oberstown on a 15 month sentence was unconstitutional.
Mr Justice Gerard Hogan ordered the release of the teenager.
This evening, the Children's Minister Frances Fitzgerald confirmed that six other youths being detained at Oberstown were eligible for immediate release following the ruling.