The Donegal prisoner who absconded from prison yesterday has been apprehended by police in Derry.
26 year old Martin McDermott from Raphoe, serving a seven year sentence for the manslaughter of Garda Gary McLoughlin in Inishowen, went missing from Loughan House prison in Cavan.
The Garda Representative Association has accused the Government of being “soft” on criminals, saying there’s huge anger in the force at what has happened.
Authorities at Loughan House noticed he was missing at around 5 o’clock yesterday evening – during a routine role call.
A cross border search was launched, and Mc Dermott was arrested by police in Derry this morning. In a statement, the PSNI confirmed to Highland Radio News that he was arrested in the Foyle area for suspected criminal offences in Derry.
Gardai and the PSNI are in ongoing discussions about what happens next.
The Irish Prison Service says a full investigation into the incident will be launched, and the Department of Justice has contacted the Director General of the Irish Prison Service for a full report on the matter.
But the Garda Representative Association says the anger within the force is immense and there are other serious questions that need to be answered.
The GRA President is Damien McCarthy. He’s asking how Mc Dermott ended up in Loughan House………….
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