Manhunt stepped up for dangerous prisoner

A GARDA manhunt was under way last night for a dangerous prisoner who stole two cars and tried to hijack another in his escape from a Co Limerick courthouse yesterday.

The armed Limerick city criminal, on remand for rape, was due to appear before Charleville District Court, which was sitting in Kilmallock, on unrelated charges yesterday morning when he escaped.

He was still at large last night as gardaí stepped up a nationwide hunt for him.