A man dubbed one of Australia’s worst killers has been released from jail after serving over two decades behind bars for the murder of his mother, brother and sister as a teenager.

Matthew De Gruchy, 41, walked free from Long Bay jail on Thursday morning, 23 years after killing his 41-year-old mum Jennifer, 13-year-old sister Sarah and 15-year-old brother Adrian at their Albion Park Rail home in 1996.  Footage of the man, who has maintained his innocence ever since his family members were found dead, has been shared online by Sunrise showing De Gruchy covering his face with a piece of paper as he was driven away from the facility in Sydney.

Corrective Services NSW confirmed his release on Thursday with a State Parole Authority spokeswoman clarifying De Gruchy was granted parole with strict conditions. The convicted killer is subject to 11 standard conditions of parole, as well as additional conditions.

As part of his release into the community De Gruchy must undertake psychological counselling and is forbidden from contacting the victims’ family, except for his father and any paternal relative. He is also not allowed to visit certain local government areas such as the NSW south-eastern coastal township of Shoalhaven and Illawarra.

“In making its decision, the authority considered advice from the Serious Offenders Review Council and Community Corrections that release to parole was appropriate and any risks could be appropriately managed in the community,” the spokeswoman explained.

De Gruchy was just 18 at the time of the murder of his family members on March 12, 1996 and was sentenced to a maximum of 28 years in jail. Multiple reports at the time claimed both his mother and sister were found deceased in their beds, while De Gruchy’s brother Adrian was discovered dead in the garage.

All three suffered severe injuries to their faces with blood samples used to identify mum Jennifer due to the brutality of the attack. Meanwhile, Adrain was found doused in petrol and had a whopping 21 wounds to his face and neck. Although no murder weapon was formally identified at the time, it’s believed to have been a car-jack handle or wheel brace.

Australians have since expressed their outrage at De Gruchy’s release with many taking to social media to express their opinions on him being able to walk free among the community.

“Australia. Where you can bludgeon to death three people and serve just 23 years jail, then get to walk amongst society again,” one person commented on Twitter.

Another added: “I have trouble wrapping my head around it. Who in their right mind would make this decision.”

While a third simply said: “He should never be released into the community.”