Handcuffed criminal escapes for second time

Limerick criminal Christy O’Donnell’s latest escapade may earn him a place in penal folklore.

For the second time in a year he has successfully fled from custody while handcuffed.

O’Donnell, aged 25, with addresses in Moyross and Garryowen, was still at large last night after he gave a number of gardaí the slip as he was being brought into Limerick prison in Mulgrave Street on Thursday evening.

Another man with him who also tried to escape was caught and returned to the prison.

In August 2011, O’Donnell managed to escape from prison officer escorts when he was brought to the Mid- Western Regional Hospital after claiming he was unwell. He was subsequently recaptured.

But O’Donnell has once again demonstrated his footloose inclinations when in the care of the criminal justice system.

He was arrested in Galway on Wednesday with another Limerick man in connection with the theft of a car at Drombanna on the outskirts of Limerick.

They were both held at Mill Street Garda Station on Wednesday and brought to a holiday sitting of the district court in Tralee on Thursday.

Both were remanded in custody and were being brought by gardaí to Limerick prison.

After they arrived near the prison gate at around 7.15pm, both men made a dash for freedom.

One was caught straight away, but O’Donnell effected his escape and was still at large last night.