Police were last night appealing for information in relation to a prisoner who escaped from custody and may have travelled towards Co Louth.
James Joseph McEvoy (27), from the Newry area, escaped while on compassionate leave to attend a funeral in Co Down yesterday. He was last seen getting into a white car at a service station on the Newry bypass.
Mr McEvoy was last month sentenced to seven years' jail after he was found guilty of grievous bodily harm. Investigating PSNI officers last night advised the public not to approach Mr McEvoy, who is 5ft 11in (1.8m), of medium build and has fair hair.
Anyone with information can contact the PSNI on 0845 600 8000 or from the Republic on 028 44 90 65 0222.