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2,954 people were imprisoned in the first six months of the year
29 per cent fewer people have been jailed this year than during the same period in 2019.
New figures also show 19 people are behind bars for immigration offences - or are awaiting extradition.
Eoghan Murphy reports:
2,954 people were imprisoned in the first six months of the year - 29 per cent fewer than the same period in 2019.
John Lonergan is a former governor of Mountjoy Prison - he says the drop is down to the Covid pandemic.
John Lonergan says Ireland sends a relatively low number of people to jail
.