Brendan Lillis Freed

Republican prisoner Brendan Lillis has been released from police custody in the North.

Mr Lillis was sentenced to life in 1977 on explosives charges, but was freed on licence in 1993.

His release was revoked in 2009 after he was arrested on robbery charges.

His family had campaigned for his release on compassionate grounds because he suffers from a severe form of arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis. He was confined to bed in Maghaberry's hospital wing for 18 months.

The 57-year-old, who was moved from Maghaberry jail to hospital days ago, was freed last night.

After his release Mr Lillis said: "I am feeling very weak. I heard this news about an hour ago."

He is expected to remain at Belfast City Hospital for some time.