A MAN who escaped from the Maze prison in the mass breakout in 1983 appeared before Dublin District Court yesterday on warrants seeking his extradition to Northern Ireland.
Dermot McNally (39), a father of two, was arrested by gardai at his home in Sligo early yesterday morning and taken into custody.
Wearing a green jacket, cream shirt and jeans, he appeared at the Dublin District Court amid high security at 4 p.m. on foot of 14 extradition warrants.
Sgt Michael Heffernan told the court he arrested McNally at 6.15 a.m. in Sligo.
He said the warrants related to making bombs, possession of bombs and bombmaking equipment, causing explosions, possession of firearms and one count of wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm.
He said the warrants alleged McNally had been sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for the various offences and that he unlawfully escaped from custody on September 23rd, 1983. The warrants sought McNally's extradition to Northern Ireland to complete his sentence.
Sgt Heffernan said he took McNally to Sligo Garda station where he read over all the original documents to him and cautioned him. He said in each case McNally made no reply.
Former RUC Det Const Gerry Walkenshaw said the man in the dock was Dermot McNally. He said he knew McNally, having interviewed him in Lurgan RUC station over three days in 1972.
Mr Alan McMullens said he was governor of the Maze prison in September 1983.
He said Dermot McNally had escaped on that date. He identified the man in the dock as McNally.
State solicitor Mr Liam Mulholland applied for McNally to be remanded in custody.
District Court President Judge Peter Smithwick remanded him in custody to May 1st next.