Electronic tagging will be introduced by the end of the year to help with prison capacity

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has signed a contract to begin electronic tagging of some offenders later this year.

The system will initially operate as a 12-month pilot, with capacity to monitor between ninety and one hundred and fifxty people.

The Minister says electronic monitoring could help ease pressure on prison capacity while protecting public safety.

Just over €2 million euro has been allocated to the project.