THE Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, ordered the release of 15 prisoners last night on the basis of legal advice she had received. The prisoners were released and then immediately re arrested by gardai. They will be brought before the Special Criminal Court this morning.
Thirteen of the prisoners had been held in Portlaoise Prison, one in Limerick Prison and one in Mountjoy Prison. "Given that the matter will be coming before the court this morning, the Minister has been legally advised that no further comment will be made," said a spokeswoman for the Minister early this morning.