Three of the six Kerry TDs made representations to Minister for Justice Michael McDowell on behalf of prisoners, according to correspondence released under the Freedom of Information Act.
The FOI request was "part granted", in that all representations were released but the offenders' names were not revealed. The documents show requests for early releases, better education facilities, counselling, Christmas releases and transfers to open prisons for a total of 24 prisoners.
Representations on behalf of nine prisoners whose crimes included drugs-dealing, drink-driving, assault and murder were made by Thomas McEllistrim, Fianna Fáil TD for Kerry North. Eleven were made by Minister for Tourism John O'Donoghue (Kerry South) for prisoners whose crimes ranged from possession of a firearm to public order offences and deception.
Mr O'Donoghue, a former minister for justice, in September 2002 sought early release for a man serving a seven-year-sentence for possession of a firearm with intent after a plea by his widowed mother.
Mr McDowell said the man, due for release in April 2004, was already in "a semi-open institution". He was not prepared to authorise early release "because of the seriousness of the offence".
In March 2006, Mr McDowell authorised temporary supervised release for a man serving six months for a public-order offence after a request from his mother was passed on by Mr O'Donoghue. The man had served three months.
In October 2005, Mr O'Donoghue sought early release for a man serving three months in Cork prison for an unspecified offence so he could attend a family wedding. Mr McDowell refused since "from inquiries made it has been established the wedding will take place in America".
A spokesman for Mr O'Donoghue last night said any representation would have been on humanitarian grounds and would not be made for a serious offence.
Mr McEllistrim, in July 2006, sought early release on behalf of a man serving eight years in Limerick for possessing 5kg of hash. The man was due for release in 2007 and his relatives wanted a gradual day-release programme. The request was refused.
In July 2006, Mr McEllistrim unsuccessfully sought a transfer to Shelton Abbey and temporary release for a prisoner serving life for murder.
In November 2006, he sought early release for a man midway through a four-month sentence for drink-driving so he could be home for Christmas. This too was refused.
Jackie Healy-Rae (Ind, Kerry South) made representations on behalf of four prisoners serving short sentences for unspecified offences between 2002 and 2005.