Investigation into how prisoner escaped from cell at Cloverhill

CONOR GALLAGHER

The Irish Prison Service is investigating how an inmate escaped from Cloverhill courthouse by walking out of an unlocked cell.

The man absconded on Tuesday morning while waiting to appear at Cloverhill District Court which is located on the grounds of Cloverhill remand prison in west Dublin, the Prison Service confirmed.

The escaped man is a 36-year-old from Crumlin. He has lost a close family member to gangland violence and was recently shot himself, requiring emergency surgery.

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A spokesman said the search for the prisoner is being carried out by gardaí and that the Prison Service is has started its own internal investigation into how he escaped.

It is understood the Dublin man was due to appear on robbery charges and was waiting in the cells adjoining the courthouse when he walked out of his unlocked cell.

He went through the court complex and exited through the front door before fleeing.

No violence was used in the escape.

Gardaí, including the Garda helicopter, were searching the surrounding areas in west Dublin and had set up checkpoints near the facility. The search is continuing.