IRA leader Michael McKevitt has made a fresh bid for early release from prison just minutes after his first application was struck out. He claims he is entitled to one third remission on his sentence for good behaviour.

If he succeeds McKevitt (59) from Beech Park, Blackrock, Co Louth would be eligible for immediate release.

The real IRA leader is serving a 20 year sentence for directing terrorism on the E2 republican landing of Portlaoise Prison.

He is challenging the refusal by the Justice Minister to grant him one-third remission for good behaviour.

The court has heard he was turned down early release because he is an unreformed republican - but his lawyers claim that is irrelevant to the question of remission.

They are asking High Court Judge Kevin Cross for permission to bring a judicial review of the decision of the Minister.

This latest application comes minutes after another high court judge struck out McKevitt's first bid for freedom solely on procedural grounds following a recent Supreme court decision.