Clare Daly says the justice system is 'utter lunacy' after her brief stint in jail last night.

The United Left Alliance TD spent around an hour and a half in Limerick prison over the non-payment of a two thousand euro court fine.

Earlier, Independent TD Mick Wallace was also granted temporary release from the prison where he was held briefly for the same reason.

They both appeared in court earlier this year over their efforts to stop the use of Shannon Airport by the US military.

Speaking outside the prison last night, Deputy Daly described the fines system as a waste of resources: