Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has ordered a full report into why a garda killer who went on the run yesterday was being kept in an low security open prison.
Martin McDermott (26) was arrested in Derry by the Police Service of Northern Ireland at around 11am. He absconded yesterday from Loughan Prison in Co Cavan.
The transfer of McDermot to Loughan House in Co Cavan – an open facility with the most relaxed regime in the prison system – came to light last night when it emerged he had absconded. It is understood he will be sent to a closed prison to serve out the remainder of his sentence.
McDermott, from Raphoe, Co Donegal, was noted missing during a head count that took place shortly before 5pm.
Loughan House is an open low-security prison for inmates regarded as requiring lower levels of security. The 160-capacity prison is in Blacklion, Co Cavan.
Speaking this afternoon, Mr Shatter said he has ordered a full report from Michael Donnellan, the director-general of the Irish Prison Service into the transfer of McDermot and the circumstances surrounding his escape.
McDermott, from Raphoe in Co Donegal, was jailed last year for the manslaughter of Garda Gary McLoughlin in 2009.
McDermott was twice over the legal drink-driving limit, when he led gardaí on a 30km high-speed chase on December 13th, 2009, reaching speeds of more than 150km/h. The chase ended when he crashed into a marked patrol car at Lisfannon, Burt, Co Donegal.
Gda McLoughlin (24) died a day later having suffered multiple injuries in the crash.
McDermott, of Castlegrove, Raphoe, Co Donegal was jailed for seven years in July 2011 for the manslaughter of Gda McLoughlin. He was also found guilty of the reckless endangerment. The court heard he had 91 previous convictions, many for traffic offences, including drink-driving, as well as burglary and forgery.
Earlier today, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) has joined Fianna Fáil in demanding a full inquiry into why McDermott had been transferred to Loughan Prison from the Midlands prison.
The GRA, which represents about 12,000 rank and file garda members, said the transfer to an open prison of such a criminal so soon after his conviction for killing a garda needed to be examined by the Government and Mr Shatter.
GRA president Damien McCarthy said Gda McLoughlin and Gda Robbie McCallion, who died in the Donegal division when struck by a car in an unrelated and separate incident, had lost their lives to criminals who were trying to “flee the law” at the time of both fatal collisions.
Both had been working “on behalf of the people of Donegal” when killed. The GRA believed the penalty for killing a garda who was doing their duty must be higher than that handed down when a civilian pedestrian or motorist was killed.
“As gardaí, we demand legislation that protects us in the course of our duty. If that were to be the legacy of these two gardaí then it would be a fitting tribute to two exceptional and upstanding young men who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Mr McCarthy said.
“We believe we have the support of all law-abiding citizens. Gardaí are expected to maintain high standards; we ask that society protects and supports us equally. This is not too much to ask," he added.
The Irish Prison Service said it regretted any upset or distress caused to the family and colleagues of Gda McLoughlin.