Vol. 438 No. 7
102 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice if, arising from replies to Parliamentary Questions No. 111 and 112 of 8 February 1994 it is the practice to release persons convicted of supplying heroin having served less than half of their sentences, particularly where there is a second and third conviction for the same offence; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Each case being considered for release is carefully assessed with particular regard to the nature of the offence, the length of sentence served, behaviour while in custody, previous criminal history and the Garda view of the likely threat to the community which a particular release might involve. It would be quite unusual for a person serving a sentence for possession of heroin for the purpose of supplying it to others to be granted temporary release before having served half of the sentence.
