16/03/2012

Cross-Border Search For Escaped Prisoner Continues

A cross border search is continuing for a prisoner who absconded yesterday from Loughan Prison in Co Cavan.

Martin McDermott (26) from Raphoe, Co Donegal, was noted missing during a head count shortly before 5pm yesterday but it is not known how long he had been missing for.

A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service said: “I can confirm that an inmate has absconded from Loughan Prison and, as with any one who goes unlawfully at large, we have informed the gardaí.”

McDermott killed a garda after hitting his patrol car in a speeding vehicle in 2009 and was housed in a open low-security prison for inmates regarded as requiring lower levels of security. The 160-capacity prison is in Blacklion, Co Cavan.

A Garda spokesman said a search for the prisoner was taking place, and a description of him had been sent to all Garda stations, ports and airports, which had been told to be on, heightened alert.

(H)


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