A dissident republican prisoner has failed to return to jail after being let out to attend his grandson's funeral, it emerged today.
Kieran McLaughlin has not been seen since he was granted compassionate temporary release from Maghaberry Prison near Lisburn, Co Antrim yesterday. He had been expected back within hours.
The Derry man, who was sentenced to 18 years after admitting possessing guns and ammunition, was accompanied by a prison chaplain when he was let out.
A Northern Ireland Prison Service spokeswoman said: "The police have been notified and the prisoner has been posted unlawfully at large".
McLaughlin pleaded guilty last November to having a large weapons cache found by police at his Galliagh Park home 12 months earlier.
Sentencing him, Lord Justice McCollum said it was clear McLaughlin had dedicated himself to the pursuit of political objectives by violent and unlawful means.
Earlier this year McLaughlin was released twice on similar compassionate grounds to visit his sick grandson at Altnagelvin hospital in Derry.
The Prison Service spokeswoman said: "On both occasions the prisoner abided by the conditions of his release".
PA