A former Irish international swimming coach who was jailed for 12 years for sexually abusing young girls he coached has been released from prison.
Derry O'Rourke (59) was released from Midlands Prison in Portlaoise this morning. Media reports said the sex offender was smuggled out a back gate of the prison to allow him to avoid waiting media.
Derry O'Rourke outside the Four Courts in Dublin in 1997
Concerns were raised last weekend that O'Rourke, handed a 12-year sentence in 1998, would be released early.
However, the Prison Service insisted this week that O'Rourke had not been granted early release. It said all prisoners were entitled to have 25 per cent remission of their sentences for good behaviour.
"Twenty five per cent off 12 years is nine years, and that is what he served. Anyone watching his case would have known his release was coming up," the spokesman said.
O'Rourke, from Edenderry, Co Offaly, pleaded guilty to 29 charges relating to 11 girls and covering offences of unlawful carnal knowledge of girls under the age of 15, and of sexual assault and indecent assault, from 1976 to 1992. The full indictment had 90 charges.
Sentences were imposed on 27 charges, totalling 109 years. The longest terms were two of 12 years for unlawful carnal knowledge.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre expressed concern at O'Rourke's release and questioned whether he would be monitored once out of jail.