The Wexford TD Mick Wallace has been released from prison. The TD had been facing time in prison for non payment of a court fine. Deputy Wallace was arrested in Dublin this morning.
Clare Daly TD was also arrested today, spending a little over an hour in Limerick prison this evening before her release.
Wallace began his day in the Dáíl chamber but when he visited to Clontarf garda station by appointment at approximately 11.30am he was arrested for non-payment of a €2,000 fine, issued at Ennis District Court for breaching security at Shannon Airport in 2014.
Gardaí then escorted Wallace home to get clothes, after which he was brought to Limerick prison.
Following his release Wallace said the decision to imprison him was "madness".
"The idea of sending me to prison for trying to protect innocent civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan and Syria is madness anyway
The Wexford TD vowed to continue his protests against US military use of Shannon airport.
“Don’t worry we’ll get in there again; it’s an absolute disgrace that the planes are not being searched," he said.
“We’ll keep at this until the Government cops on to themselves and stops allowing Shannon to be used as a US military aid base to kill innocent people,” he added.
If Wallace does repeat his act within 30 days he would likely face a longer spell in Limerick prison.
Mr Wallace was fined last April but vowed not to pay the fine and has not yet done so.
It is understood a warrant for his arrest for non-payment of the fine was issued last month.
The 60-year-old was transported to Limerick Prison to begin serving a 30-day jail term in lieu of the fine.
United Left TD Clare Daly was also fined €2,000 at the same court appearance earlier this year - and she too vowed not to pay it.
On his way into prison, Mr Wallace had this to say to Live95fm.
While a Cabinet minister claims the arrest of Mr Wallace highlights dangers in putting independents in government.
Leo Varadkar says future governments could be relying on the votes of independent TDs, who then are jailed and unable to cast them.
