GARDAI yesterday recaptured Michael Cahill, brother of the criminal who was known as the "General" Martin Cahill, in Dublin, seven weeks after he escaped from custody.
Cahill (33) was arrested at about 2.30 p.m. when gardai raided a flats complex in the south inner city. He has been on the run since November 3rd when he escaped from a Garda van after producing a syringe and threatening three unarmed prison officers and a garda driver.
He was being held last night at Crumlin Garda station under Section 30 of the offences Against the State Act.
At the time of his escape, Cahill had been serving a 41/2 year prison term after being convicted on a drugs charge earlier this year. Part of the sentence had been suspended and he was due for release next year.
When he escaped he was being escorted to prison in Cork after a violent "fracas" in Mountjoy Prison several days earlier, when it was decided to transfer him.
He produced the syringe in the van while it was on the M50 near the Naas Road. He held it to the head of one of the prison officers and ordered the others to unlock his handcuffs. Cahill then jumped out of the van. He made an unsuccessful attempt to stop a car on the motorway before running across fields.