A review of security and procedures by prison officers at the Four Courts is under way following the escape of a petty criminal from a holding cell in the complex yesterday.
Gardai suspect the prisoner, William King (24), from Sandyhill Avenue, Ballymun, Dublin, may have benefited from a carefully-prepared plan for the escape of another man on a much more serious charge. King is currently before the courts on a larceny charge.
It is suspected members of a Dublin criminal gang cut through bars on the cell window during the weekend. A major criminal figure was due to appear before the High Court yesterday and it is believed accomplices had cut through the bars as part of an escape plan.
However, the criminal figure did not appear because of an unforeseen problem with a jury.
An inquiry is under way into how the criminals managed to get into the courts complex. Unconfirmed reports suggest that some of the closed circuit security cameras were not operating properly. Another inquiry is also under way into why King was allowed to be in the cell, known as a "reception room", without prison officer supervision. King broke a glass window and pushed open the pre-cut bars. He made his way through the complex to the quays wearing rigid handcuffs. The Garda Press Office said he was later seen getting into an Opel Kadett car which may have had false number plates. He was in civilian clothes.
King is serving a six months sentence on a larceny charge and was in the Four Courts on a bail application.
He had been in custody in Mountjoy Prison on charges of stealing a handbag at South Hill, Dartry, Dublin, on August 19th, 1998. He applied for a High Court review of the bail granted to him in the District Court which was fixed at his own bail of £100 and an independent surety of £200.
He appeared before Mr Justice Barr yesterday but withdrew his application and he was returned to his cell. Gardai from the South Central Division are investigating the escape.