Investigations under way after prisoner escapes while at hospital

Two separate investigations are under way after a male prisoner escaped from custody whilst attending University Hospital Limerick, on Thursday afternoon.

The man escaped from the custody of prison officers through a window at the hospital shortly before 2pm.

According to reliable sources, the prisoner was escorted to UHL by prison staff from Limerick Prison on Wednesday night.

He was brought to a ward where he was being monitored by at least two prison officers before making his escape through a window on the first floor of the main hospital building, sources said.

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It is “normal procedure” for at least “two prison officers” to escort prisoners on appointments outside of the normal prison environment, a source explained.

It’s unclear whether the prisoner was handcuffed at the time.

A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service confirmed that a prisoner who was attending the hospital was “UAL - Unlawfully At Large”.

“Like all UAL cases An Garda Síochána were notified immediately and an investigation will be conducted by both the Prison Service and An Garda Síochána,” a spokesman said.

A Garda spokeswoman said gardaí were also investigating the incident.

“Gardaí are assisting the Irish Prison Service in tracing the whereabouts of a prisoner unlawfully at large from University Hospital Limerick,” she said.

University Hospital Limerick was also asked for comment.