Furore as third prison escape emerges

Labour has called on the Minister for Justice to make a statement on the circumstances surrounding the latest prisoner to escape from custody.

A convicted rapist serving a nine-year sentence absconded during an outing with three prison officers last Sunday.

Labour's Brendan Howlin said John O'Donoghue must accept responsibility for the lapse in security, which is the third time since Christmas an inmate has escaped from custody.

Deputy Howlin said it was astounding that the information had been kept from the public until now and said Minister O'Donoghue must explain why this had happened.