Man admits helping robber escape from Portlaoise Prison

A Co Meath man has pleaded guilty to helping armed robber Derek Brockwell escape from Portlaoise Prison two years ago.

Alan Donohue (34), St Oliver's Park, Ratoath admitted assisting Derek Brockwell to remain at large after his escape on February 17th, 2015.

He also also pleaded guilty at Trim Circuit Court to the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at St Oliver’s Park, Ratoath on or about March 24th, 2016.

Donohue was remanded in custody to a sitting of the court in February when a date for sentence will be set.

Brockwell (56), who is originally from Glasgow, was serving seven years for robbery when he escaped by stabbing two prison officers at Tallaght hospital, where he had been taken for diabetes treatment.

Brockwell was later recaptured outside a pub in Belfast.