Drogheda crim who escaped custody mocks gardai by thanking those who ‘helped a convict out back doors’

A social media page in the fugitive’s name also claims he is ‘no feud gangster’ and that he is ‘just an ordinary decent criminal’

• 18:00, 22 DEC 2023

A Drogheda criminal who escaped garda custody in the Co Louth town appears to continue to mock gardai from Belfast and thanked those who “helped a convict out 50 to 60 back doors.”

A social media page in the fugitive’s name also claims he is “no feud gangster” and that he is “Just an ordinary decent criminal.”

The criminal, who is in his 30s, has links to one of Drogheda’s two feuding criminal gangs and was arrested last week as part of an investigation into money laundering offences.

While being held in custody at Drogheda Garda Station on Thursday, December 14, for a court appearance the following morning, it is understood he was allowed outside for a cigarette.

However, he subsequently managed to run out of the station at around 9pm that night and continues to be on the run.

On Thursday evening, a recording appeared on the social media page in the fugitive’s name of a musician playing ‘Country Roads’ in a pub in Belfast.

The caption written on the recording was: “Want to thank the whole of the hood for the last few days helping a convict out about 50 to 60 back doors open. Ya wouldn’t get it in the 5 Oaks.”

Earlier we revealed that the fugitive will face a charge of escape from lawful custody when gardai catch up with him.

And in a post on the social media page in his name, he tells gardai to “put that escape charge along with the rest of them and I’ll face them in the new year, thanks.”

Comments under the caption included “Enjoy pal, you deserve it,” while another wrote: “Well deserved.” Despite extensive searches in the area since his escape, the on-the-run criminal has not yet been located as of today.

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Once gardai catch up with him, he will face a charge of escape from lawful custody contrary to common law.

According to sources the offence is a ‘stand alone charge’ with the maximum penalty on conviction on indictment not exceeding five years in prison.

And any person assisting the fugitive may also face prosecution for enabling him to remain unlawfully at large. That offence is under Section 6 Criminal Law Act 1976.

In response to a request by this paper on Friday for an update on the investigation of the escapee, An Garda Siochana said: “There are no updates at this time.”