Convicted wife killer Eamon Lillis will be released from prison tomorrow - no matter how many journalists are outside.

Lillis refused to leave Wheatfield jail in West Dublin today because of the large number of reporters camped outside.

Prison authorities had intended to let the 57-year-old go a day early, to avoid weekend release, but revoked the privilege when he wouldn't sign his paperwork.

The Irish Times says he'll will now be freed any time between midnight and around 10am tomorrow morning, with special arrangements to facilitate his release on a Saturday.

Eamon Lillis was jailed for six years and 11 months in February 2010 over the death of his wife Celine Cawley - his good behaviour in prison secured him a 25 per cent reduction of his sentence.

A media crowd had been waiting for him at the gates since late last night.

Journalists waiting for Mr Lillis to emerge | Image: Francesca Comyn

He was handed down a sentence of six years and 11 months for the manslaughter of his wife Celine Cawley, who he bludgeoned to death with a brick at their home in Howth in December 2008.

He was cleared of her murder, with the post mortem evidence being that he killed her with moderate force.

Their house Rowan Hill has since been sold. Mr Lillis (57) received over €400,000 from the sale as he had a joint share in the property with his late wife.

He also benefitted from the sale of an investment apartment they had bought in Sutton - and netted a share of the profits from the dissolution of the couple's film company, Toytown productions,

Celine Cawley's share was left in trust for their daughter Georgia, who said in High Court proceedings that she would rather stick pins in her eyes that reunite with her father.

Mr Lillis will leave prison a wealthy man, and is reported to be planning a getaway to the UK tomorrow where he has family.

Newstalk.com's courts correspondent Francesca Comyn was outside Wheatfield Prison. She told Lunchtime Mr Lillis was refusing to leave.