Pyjamas-clad prisoner escapes in Galway

A prisoner dressed in pyjamas and nightgown made a dramatic escape from a Galway hospital yesterday.

A prisoner dressed in pyjamas and nightgown made a dramatic escape from a Galway hospital yesterday.

Convicted armed robber Michael Murray (37), who is originally from Douglas in Co Cork, had been serving a five-year sentence at Castlerea Prison and was due for release in June.

He was moved to University College Hospital Galway last weekend for medical treatment and tests and was under 24-hour guard by three prison officers.

Shortly after 1am yesterday he was accompanied to the toilet. One of the officers became suspicious when he failed to emerge. They discovered he had escaped through a downstairs toilet window. It is thought that his escape was planned.

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A search for Murray was ongoing last night.