Courts / Wicklow / Report

Ireland's longest serving prisoner seeks temporary release

Date
2020-01-14

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Wicklow

County
Wicklow

Summary

John Shaw, aged 73 and Ireland's longest-serving prisoner, brought an appeal before the Court of Appeal challenging the Minister for Justice's refusal to grant him two days of temporary release annually. Shaw has been in custody since September 1976 following his conviction at the Central Criminal Court in February 1978 for offences including abduction, rape, torture and murder. The Parole Board had recommended limited escorted outings, a recommendation the Minister declined without providing written reasons. Shaw's counsel argued the Minister's discretion was exercised arbitrarily and that Shaw had no clarity on what might satisfy the Minister's requirements. The Director of Public Prosecutions' representative contended the refusal was grounded in a dynamic risk assessment determining Shaw posed a high risk of reoffending. The three-judge panel reserved judgement. Shaw was not present during the hearing at the Court of Appeal.