The President of the Olympic Council of Ireland could be released from custody as early as today.

Pat Hickey has been held at Bangu prison in Rio since his arrest as part of an investigation into alleged ticket touting at the Olympics on August 8.

Kevin Mallon, a director of THG Sports, was allowed to leave the same prison overnight but will have to abide by strict conditions until his case is dealt with.

Journalist Cathal McMahon says Mr Hickey is likely to face similar conditions if he is released.

Mr McMahon said: “He’ll be released on some sort of licence, so staying in a hotel, we understand, would not be an option he would need a permanent address in Rio.

“The OCI or the IOC will more than likely provide an apartment for him in the city and he will be able to stay there for the duration of this trial.

“We understand that he is willing to stay in the city, he is keen to face these charges.”

Anne Marie James, a solicitor for the Hickey family, has criticised the Irish government for its handling of the situation: “I don’t think any murderer would have been photographed in the way that he was.

“I think that the dawn raid at 6am was just a publicity stunt and I think that the Irish Government have a job to do to protect their citizens and say to another country, whether you like the man or not, he is innocent until he is proven guilty, and they have to step up to the plate and say you can’t do that to our citizens.”