OFFICIALS from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin have said they are monitoring the case of republican Tony Taylor.

The Derry man was returned to jail in March last year after his early release licence was revoked by then secretary of state Theresa Villiers.

A former republican prisoner, Taylor was sentenced to 18 years in jail in 1994 for IRA activity and for three years in 2011 for possession of a rifle.

He is currently being held at Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim.

In response to a parliamentary question tabled by Fianna Fail TD Éamon Ó Cuív, foreign affairs minister Charlie Flannigan has said his officials are monitoring the Taylor and other cases and have raised it with the Northern Ireland Office.

“The particular personal circumstances of the individual in questions, including issues relating to access to Maghaberry for family members has been raised with the Northern Ireland Office,” he said.

Mr Ó Cuív’s question to the minister came after a group of TD’s met Taylor’s wife Lorraine in Belfast last month.

Taylor’s solicitor Aiden Carlin said the case raises human rights issues.

"Tony Taylor's recall is internment in all but name,” he said.

“It is without justification and sets a very dangerous precedent for republican ex-prisoners.