Investigation after prisoner escapes while attending Mayo hospital

A PRISONER from Castlerea Prison escaped while receiving medical treatment at Mayo University Hospital, it has been confirmed.

Gardaí in Mayo have been notified of the incident which occurred yesterday.

The incident was confirmed to Midwest Radio by the Irish Prison Services.

The prisoner was in custody while attending the accident and emergency unit in Castlebar - but he somehow succeeded in making a swift getaway.

An investigation is underway into the circumstances of the escape.

A search is still ongoing for the prisoner.

Gardaí have issued an appeal to report any sightings of a man to Castlebar Garda at (094) 90 22222 or any Garda station.

He was last sighted at Humbert Way, near Castlebar town centre.

The escapee is described as 5ft 9in, of an athletic build with brown hair. He is known to have ties to the Galway area.

The man is a remand prisoner, awaiting trial having been charged with burglaries.