THE Department of Justice is investigating the escape of a prisoner who was being escorted by prison officers from Dublin District Court back to Mountjoy prison.
The escape occurred on Tuesday when the man "slipped his handcuffs" and ran down the road outside the court. Prison officers chased the man, but lost him in nearby Smithfield. He was still at large last night.
It is understood that the prisoner was coming to the end of a sentence for assault and had been in court to face other charges. He is not believed to be a major security risk.
Such escape attempts are believed to be a "regular occurrence", but the prisoners are recaptured "nine times out of ten", according to security sources. There are currently 1,294 prisoners "unlawfully at large", most of them as a result of failing to return to custody after temporary release. A nightclub bouncer, Noel Chubb, convicted of manslaughter in 1991 is still at large after failing to return to Mountjoy prison while on a day release in mid July.
Two weeks ago, a 15 year old boy who was convicted of attempted rape absconded while on a "mobility trip" to the cinema. He was later recaptured near his home in Co Westmeath and returned to Trinity House in Lusk, Co Dublin.