Prisoners granted temporary Christmas release
Around 290 prisoners have been granted temporary release from Irish jails this Christmas.
Most of the inmates are either nearing the end of their sentences or are serving relatively short jail terms.
Justice Minister Michael McDowell has said his main concern in considering applications for Christmas release was the safety of the public.
In addition to compassionate considerations, he said other criteria taken into account included the nature and gravity of the offence, the length of the sentence served to date, prior record on temporary release and previous criminal history.
