Northern Ireland’s longest on the run prisoner has appeared in court to plead guilty to being unlawfully at large for more than 20 years.
At Antrim Crown Court, Edward James John Hickey (49) entered a guilty plea to the single charge against him that between January 2nd 2001 and January 11th, 2023, having been ordered to serve a jail sentence at HMP Magilligan “were afterwards, and before the expiration of the term for which you were so sentenced at large without lawful excuse.”
Hickey, from the Monasterboice Road, Crumlin in Dublin 12, was jailed for five years in 2000 at Belfast Crown Court for having a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life. However, having been given Christmas temporary parole, he failed to return to jail.
In court on Thursday, defence counsel Martin Morgan said “the defendant is not requesting a pre-sentence report” in what he described as a “fairly straightforward case.”
Say Nothing: Bingeable yet sober-minded eulogy for the tragedy of the Troubles
Politicians need to decide if Northern Ireland is desperately poor or so rich it requires no help
Murdered showjumper Katie Simpson was ‘stolen’ from family says father as watchdog criticises police
Horrific crimes of ‘catfish’ Alexander McCartney exposed by bravery of 12-year-old girl
“Certainly a PSR would not really add anything” given Hickey’s status and offending, said the barrister so remanding him back into custody.
Judge Alistair Devlin said he would pass sentence on September 22nd.