THE NUMBER of inmates being released for Christmas this year, at 176, is substantially higher than last year when 107 prisoners were offered short periods of temporary release for the festive period.
Convicted murderer Malcolm Macarthur is to be released for a short period on Christmas Day so that he can spend time with family members.
Macarthur is being released for a number of hours and will return to prison in Shelton Abbey, Co Wicklow, on Christmas night. It is his third period of temporary release. It is understood he plans to spend his period of release with family in the Dún Laoghaire area, as he has done for the past two years.
Macarthur (61), received a life sentence in 1982 for bludgeoning a nurse, Bridie Gargan, to death in the Phoenix Park that year. He was also charged with shooting a farmer, Donal Dunne, who had met him to sell a shotgun.
The DPP decided not to prosecute him for this murder because he had pleaded guilty to the murder of Ms Gargan. The Dunne family said in recent years they believe Macarthur still poses a threat to themselves and society.
Macarthur was moved to Shelton Abbey in May 2004 following a parole board report recommending that he be moved to the open prison to test his suitability for eventual full release.
The 176 inmates being released this year will be freed for varying periods. Some, like Macarthur, will be free for a number of hours on Christmas Day only, while others will enjoy periods of freedom of up to seven days.
The temporary release of some inmates for Christmas has been the practice for decades. The process is provided for under the Criminal Justice Act 1960.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said the numbers being released this year represent just 4 per cent of the prison population. Last year some 107 inmates were released compared to 138 in 2007 and 238 in 2006.
Mr Ahern said the prisoners being released are nearing the end of their sentences.
In previous years, a small number of inmates released for short periods over Christmas failed to return to jail on time.