Prisoner recaptured after court escape

A prisoner who escaped from the High Court was recaptured by prison officers and an off-duty garda, it emerged today.

Gerry Connors, from Brooklawn Park in Jobstown, Tallaght was appearing to agree to be extradited to England to face charges of attempted murder, wounding, robbery and possession of a firearm.

But when prison officers removed his handcuffs to allow him to enter the witness box, he pushed his way past court staff and ran out of the courtroom.

A Prison Service spokesman said he was pursed by the prison officers down Capel Street.

“He was apprehended there by the officers with the assistance of an-off duty garda,” he said.

There were no reported injuries among the prison staff, who were praised by the Prison Service for their prompt response.

Mr Connors was returned to the High Court for the remainder of the hearing. He was back in custody at Cloverhill Prison tonight.