A convicted rapist who escaped from custody more than a week ago turned himself in at Arbour Hill prison yesterday evening. Martin Farrell (34), from Loughshinney, Skerries, Co Dublin, had 18 months left to serve of his nine-year sentence at the prison when he absconded on Sunday, February 18th.
Farrell was serving his sentence for a double rape committed in August 1994, while he was on temporary release from a prison sentence.
On Sunday he was taken to a parochial house in the north of the city on compassionate leave to visit his sick mother. He escaped by climbing out a bathroom window. During his visit, he was accompanied by three prison officers. His handcuffs had been removed to enable him to go to the toilet.
An investigation into the escape was ordered by the Governor of Arbour Hill prison.