Escapee prisoner flees again

A prisoner has escaped from custody for the second time in three months.

The inmate gave gardai and prison officers the slip as his case was being heard in Cork District Court this morning.

Niall Fitzpatrick had previously escaped from custody on January 6 and was due in court this morning on charges relating to that incident.

When his case was called, Fitzpatrick made his way to the witness box, but jumped over the bench and escaped out a back door.

He then scaled a wall and fled in a waiting car. A garda hunt is underway.