29/03/2012

Michael McDermott Had Escaped From Same Prison Before

A report published last night revealed that gardai killer, Michael McDermott, had escaped from Loughan House a number of years before being transferred there again.

The Director General of the Prison Service, Michael Donnellan, apologised for sending the convicted killer to the open prison.

Addressing the Oireachtas Justice Committee Donnellan confirmed that the fact that McDermott had escaped from Loughan House previously was known to those who decided that he be transferred there and said measures had been taken to provide additional oversight to ensure such an incident is not repeated.

The Garda Representative Association has criticised the assessment by Midlands Prison staff that McDermott met the criteria for the transfer to an open prison.

On 15 March Michael McDermott walked out of the open prison and across the nearby border into Northern Ireland. He was on the run for several days as a cross-border opertion searched for him.

He was eventually recaptured by the PSNI and is currently serving a sentence in the North for assaulting a police officer.


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 July 2016
Fitzgerald Unveils Prison Officer Recruitment Campaign
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has unveiled a new recruitment campaign which aims to recruit up to 360 prison officers over the next three years.
25 April 2012
Three More Prisoner Escape Co Cavan Open Prison
Three more inmates escaped from Loughan House open prison in Co Cavan, the same prison that convicted garda killer Martin McDermott walked out of in March of this year. The alarm was raised around 18:30 last night when the inmates were discovered missing and they were recaptured a short time later.
22 March 2012
Prison Escapee Sentenced To Four Months
A prisoner who escaped from jail 8 months into an eight year sentence over the death of a Garda officer has been sentenced to 4 months. Martin McDermott escaped from the low-security prison in Blacklion, County Cavan on 15 March, PSNI officers in Derry/Londonderry recaptured him the next day.
18 May 2015
Call For Justice Minister To Provide Safety Assurances At Cork Prison
The Justice Minister is being called to give assurances about the safety of prisoners and staff following a fatal stabbing at Cork Prison. Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin said the attack was a "serious breach of security".
06 November 2012
Murdered Prison Officer's Funeral Takes Place Today
The funeral of murdered prison officer David Black is due to take place today. The 52-year-old father of two was shot as he drove to his work at Maghaberry Prison. The shooting occurred on the M1 in County Armagh on Thursday. A private service is to be held at the family home in Cookstown.