A convicted murderer and a number of convicted attempted murderers are among those on temporary release from our prisons.
According to figures given to Fianna Fáil, 11.5 per cent of prisoners in the system have been let out temporarily.
The crimes for which these prisoners were convicted include a homicide, 50 people who were convicted of attempted murder, assaults, harassment and related offences, and 14 convicted of burglary.
The granting of temprorary release is at the discretion of the Minister for Justice and the prison service.
Fianna Fáil Justice spokesperson Niall Collins is accusing the government of using temporary release to massage prisoner figures:
