BANKRUPT QUINN FREED FOR CHRISTMAS

Sean Quinn, who was jailed for contempt in an asset stripping plot, has been granted temporary release for Christmas.

The one-time billionaire will be freed from the training unit in Mountjoy prison for three days over the festive break. He will miss his granddaughter's christening on Saturday.
His lawyer Kevin Winters, who represented the bankrupt pensioner as he was sentenced for contempt, confirmed that the decision to release Quinn was made on Thursday afternoon.
"Mr Quinn will be able to spend Christmas with his family at home, which is only right and fitting because it is no more or less than any other prisoner is entitled to at this time of year," he said. "It is a great sense of relief to his family that his application was approved."
Quinn, 66, was sentenced to nine weeks in jail for not purging his contempt in the High Court. The compassionate leave was agreed following prolonged talks between Attorney General Maire Whelan, the Department of Justice and the Irish Prison Service.