A woman who is nine months pregnant was released from Mountjoy Women’s Prison today following claims that she was unlawfully detained.
Ancutu Rostas was jailed for one year for theft and begging.
Barrister Keith Spencer told the court that an inquiry into the legality of her detention led to her release today which was ordered by Mr Justice Michael Hanna.
Mr Spencer told the court that Ms Rostas had been convicted of the theft of make up and was given a 2 month suspended sentence at Waterford District Court, which she was appealing.
However due to a change of address Ms Rostas was not alerted of her appeal, which was then struck out, rendering her sentence active again.
When she was later convicted of a begging offence at Tipperary District Court, the judge was notified of a suspended sentence and Ms Rostas was immediately given a 12 month prison sentence.
Mr Spencer told the court that Ms Rostas had only a few weeks left until the birth of her child.
The inquiry into her incarceration had been adjourned until today while the State was considering the case.