Midlands gardai search for prison escapee

Gardaí in Roscommon and Longford are searching for an escaped prisoner from Wheatfield prison.

Gardaí in Roscommon and Longford are searching for an escaped prisoner from Wheatfield prison.

Roadblocks have been set up in the towns of Lanesborough and Ballyleague in efforts to recapture the man, who is believed to have been on the run for a number of days.

The Garda air support unit was earlier used in the search but has since left the area.

Local landowners have been asked to check their properties and farm buildings for the man.

The man, who is in his early 30s, was being held in connection with a series of car thefts.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter