A Derry man serving a lengthy sentence at Castlerea Prison for robbery escaped from custody while receiving treatment at University College Hospital Galway last April.
Jonathan Ayton (31), Seven Oaks, Waterside, Derry, appeared in custody before Galway District Court yesterday charged with escaping from the custody of two prison officers from Castlerea Prison while receiving medical treatment at the hospital on April 1st last. He is now back at the prison serving the remainder of his sentence following his rearrest and extradition from Northern Ireland.
The court was told that Ayton had been taken back into custody after extradition proceedings and he asked for disclosure of the extradition papers so that he could examine their validity.
His solicitor believed the charge his client was now facing was not properly before the court.
Insp Pat McHugh said Ayton was serving an eight-year sentence for robbery and burglary. The sentence, he said, had been increased to 10 years on appeal.
Insp McHugh said he needed time to speak to the DPP's office about the solicitor's application. He explained that the charge before the court had been preferred by the DPP because the accused had escaped from custody, giving rise to the charge.
Judge Mary Fahy remanded Ayton in custody to appear before the court again on November 13th.