An Irish gangster has gone on the run after a prison accidentally released him on the day that he was meant to begin his jail term.
The 30-year-old convict, who has been classed as ‘extremely dangerous’, was allegedly part of a burglary gang and was linked to dead Irish gangster boss ‘Fat’ Andy Connors.
The man, who has not been named, had been in custody since June 2021 for several offences and was handed another two-year prison term from Dublin’s Criminal Courts of Justice on November 25.
But when he returned to Midlands Prison in Portlaoise after his court appearance, he was mistakenly released due to a ‘processing error’ related to multiple warrants connected to him, the Irish Independent reports.
‘He was given even more jail time at the court hearing in Dublin but was then able to walk out of the prison. It was a mistake but no doubt a bizarre incident,’ a source told the outlet.
Prison authorities said that they would not comment on an individual prisoner, but confirmed to MailOnline that a prisoner was ‘released in error in November 2024’.
The circumstances which led to this error are currently being investigated, the spokesperson added.
The man had previously hit garda cars when they tried to stop him and is understood to be currently driving a blue Volkswagen Golf, according to the garda. Officers are also monitoring two properties in Carlow and Dublin linked to the on-the-run prisoner.
When the man returned to Midlands Prison in Port Laoise (pictured) after his court appearance, he was mistakenly released due to a ‘processing error’ related to multiple warrants connected to him
The 30-year-old convict, who has been classed as ‘extremely dangerous’, was reportedly part of a burglary gang and was linked to dead Irish gangster boss ‘Fat’ Andy Connors (pictured)
While there is a possibility that he has already fled Ireland, sources say it is more likely that he stayed put.
The man was convicted of money laundering and tax-dodging offences in October and was given a five-year sentence – three of which were suspended – at the end of last month.
The man was convicted following a major investigation in Dublin, which also saw several others being handed sentences.
His BMW 5 series and an expensive caravan seized by gardai were ordered by the Dublin Circuit Court to be forfeited to the State.
The convict was also ordered to pay £3,100 (€3,800).
He is thought to be friends with the 48-year-old brother of ‘Fat’ Andy called William Connors, who was jailed for eight years in November. He was convicted for conspiracy to commit burglary.
Investigators believe the on-the-run criminal was an active member in one of Ireland’s biggest burglary gangs since he was a teenager and was mentored by crime boss ‘Fat’ Andy, who was shot dead more than ten years ago.
The gang allegedly made millions from burglaries spanning decades and is considered to be still ‘very active’.
Members are reportedly suspected in several burglaries all over Ireland, some of which used children and female getaway drivers to aid them during the crimes.
