Republican political activist Marian Price has been released after more than two years of internment without trial. The decision to release her on Thursday was taken by the Parole Commissioners.

The former political prisoner and hunger-striker was ordered to be jailed in 2011 by then British Direct Ruler, Owen Paterson. Marian was moved to a Belfast hospital on medical advice last June. She had suffered from physical and psychological ill-health following her imprisonment in solitary confinement at Maghaberry and Hydebank Prisons.

Earlier this year, she was refused permission to attend the funeral of her sister, Dolours Price. A major human rights campaign had worked intensively to secure her release and had won the support of several prominent national and international organisations.

A statement from Marian’s family confirmed her release last night.  “We are very happy to confirm that Marian was released this afternoon after a recommendation from the Parole Commission. This comes after being held for over two years in isolation on the basis of Closed Material Proceedings,” the statement said.

“We would like to thank all those groups and individuals who worked tirelessly to campaign for Marian’s release. “Although she is now at home she is still very ill and we would ask that everyone respects our privacy at this time.”

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams welcomed the Parole Board’s decision. He said the veteran republican, was being held without due process and has been “very ill for most of the this time”. Sinn Fein Assembly member Jennifer McCann said the decision to release Marian was long overdue.

She said the party had made representations to the parole hearing. “This was a form of internment and was a threat to the peace process,” she said.