North Belfast republican Sean Kelly was said to be shocked but delighted at his release from Maghaberry prison late on Wednesday night.
North Belfast Sinn Féin councillor Carál Ní Chuilín, MLA Gerry Kelly and campaign manager John O'Hagan, went to the prison to pick up the republican who had his licence revoked on June 18 by the Secretary of State, Peter Hain.
Sean Kelly's solicitor Kevin Winters said that although the North Belfast man was released home to his partner Geraldine and children, his case will still be duly considered by the Sentence Review Commission.
"We're glad to see him out," Oldpark councillor Carál Ní Chuilín said.
"He is a positive influence in the community, particularly around interfaces and contentious parades which is in stark contrast to what is going on in East Belfast at the moment."
North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said Sean Kelly should never have been arrested in the first place.
"It would be my wish that the Sentence Review Commission resolve this situation as a matter of urgency and allow Sean and his family to get on with their lives."
Sean Kelly's release has incensed unionists. DUP leader Ian Paisley who met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair today branded the release of Sean Kelly the "first installment of surrender".
"We demand the very same action taken against these terrorists as the ones on your side of the pond," Ian Paisley Snr said.
"There can be no bribing, no dirty deals with them, no talks with them."
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said the government was "grovelling to republicans".
He added that the move "would be seen as a cynical manipulation, not only of the legal process, but the political process".
SDLP councillor Alex Attwood said the Secretary of state should explain the reasons for Sean Kelly's arrest and release.
"When Sean Kelly was arrested, the SDLP said he should be released if there was no evidence against him, or brought at once before the Sentence Review Commission if there was," he said.
"Now that he has been released, Secretary of State Peter Hain needs to explain whether there was no evidence against him, or alternatively if there was, whether he has been released for other reasons."
