Governor considering releasing Sean Quinn for Christmas

A number of Cavan Town Councillors made calls at this week's meeting of the local authority for Sean Quinn to be released from prison for Christmas. It was agreed to write to the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter and the Governor of Mountjoy on the matter. It's since understood that a fax has gone to to the governor who is said to be consulting with Minister Alan Shatter on the issue. At Monday's meeting, Fine Gael's Terry Argue said it was a shocking state of affairs when convicted criminals appear to be getting out for the festive season, while Sean Quinn remains in jail. "I call on the Minister for Justice to have that man released from jail with immediate effect," he said. He added that it is terribly unfair that Sean Quinn would not be allowed out for his grandchild's Christening and for Christmas. He pointed out that Sean Quinn had put the food on the tables of 150,000 people over a 40-year period in this country. Fianna Fáil's Paddy Conaty seconded the proposal. "It is terrible to see him in jail - a man that was celebrated around this table only a couple of years ago when he was given a medal of honour from the Town Council in recognition of his achievements in business and creation of jobs in the area." Sinn Féin's Brian McKeown also proposed that the council write to the prison governor stating the Council's support for Sean Quinn and calling for his release on compassionate grounds. He explained that decisions in relation to compassionate parole are made by the Governor.