Missing prisoner returns to Co Antrim jail

A dissident republican prisoner who absconded while on temporary release to attend his grandson’s funeral has returned to Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim.

47-year-old Ciaran McLaughlin, who is serving 18 years for possessing weapons and ammunition, was released for 12 hours on Monday in the company of a prison chaplain, but he failed to return to the jail until 5pm today.

He had received temporary release on compassionate grounds twice so far this year to visit his sick two-year-old grandson and returned to the prison on both occasions.

However, he was reportedly furious that he was not allowed out overnight after his grandson died of a brain disorder.