File prepared on break-ins

A file is being prepared for the DPP after a prisoner on day release from Limerick Prison was allegedly involved in a series …

A file is being prepared for the DPP after a prisoner on day release from Limerick Prison was allegedly involved in a series of incidents last week.

The 19-year-old prisoner got permission to visit his mother and it is alleged he was involved in house break-ins in the Rathkeale-Askeaton areas of west Limerick.

Gardai approached the man who appeared to be asleep in a car near Ballingarry. He started the engine and rammed the Garda patrol car.

Shots were fired but he escaped over fields and is believed to have made his way to Dungarvan in Co Waterford in a stolen car where a number of robberies were carried out.

READ MORE

Later in Monasterevin, Co Kildare, the fugitive was allegedly seen stealing diesel from a farm. And when gardai arrived at the scene he allegedly assaulted two of them.

He is now back in Limerick Prison where he is serving 21 months for a series of burglaries and robberies.

Meanwhile, gardai are seeking a Co Limerick man who escaped from Limerick Prison.

Mr John O'Brien (22) from Abbeyfeale made his escape while returning to the jail with a working party.

A low-risk prisoner, he was sentenced in February for a number of burglaries and was due for release this year. He is a repeat offender, but, according to a Garda spokesman, none of the crimes was of a violent nature.