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The entrance to Loughan House Open Centre in Co Cavan. Google Maps

Escaped prisoner appears before Derry court

The 26-year-old was temporarily removed from the court after shouting obscenities at the judge.

Updated at 12.50pm

THE 26-YEAR-OLD man who escaped from a low-security prison in Co Cavan earlier this week has appeared before a court in Derry today.

Martin McDermott, originally of Raphoe, Co Donegal, was serving a seven-year sentence for the manslaughter of Garda Gary McLoughlin in December 2009 at the time of his disappearance from Loughan House.

The Garda Representative Association has questioned why a person convicted of killing a garda was being held in a low-security setting. The Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has ordered an inquiry into the circumstances of his transfer to the low-security facility and of his escape.

McDermott was arrested yesterday by the PSNI in Derry has been charged with criminal damage, three counts of assault on police and resisting arrest, and disorderly behaviour. Bail was refused and he was remanded in custody until later this month.

The BBC reports that during the court appearance, McDermott shouted obscenities at the judge was removed from the court. He later returned to the court and was charged with misbehaving in court. He apologised, which was accepted by the judge, and was fined £150.

GRA questions holding garda killer in low-security facility >

Escaped Garda killer arrested by PSNI in Derry >

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21 Comments
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    Mute Trevor croft
    Favourite Trevor croft
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    Mar 3rd 2014, 10:35 PM

    I have 2 beautiful little girls, it sends a shiver down my spine thinking about what this filthy animal has done to those to innocent little kids, life in prison is not half enough punishment, sickening

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    Mute The Truth Hurts
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    Mar 3rd 2014, 10:47 PM

    You are not alone with thoughts like that…. It sickens me to the core.

    144
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    Mute Steven Flannery
    Favourite Steven Flannery
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    Mar 3rd 2014, 10:21 PM

    Straight away there thinking about parole , life is life , people like that can not be changed , why does the justice system think they can reform every prisoner some people are just bad, there is no other country in the world were this prisoner will get special care , it’s a disgrace

    259
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    Mute Ronan Sexton
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    Mar 3rd 2014, 10:48 PM

    He wasn’t given two life sentences, he was given one. It’s high time we did away with this concurrent sentencing fiasco. Absolute nonsense. What idiot thought up of that? Jesus.

    219
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    Mute john fahy
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    Mar 3rd 2014, 10:34 PM

    He will face justice when he gets to prison , word of that terrible atrocity will be there before him and he will receive what’s coming to him

    152
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    Mute Steven Flannery
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    Mar 3rd 2014, 10:36 PM

    He will be protected all his life in there and get 3 course meals and sky tv just some of the perks he will get

    92
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    Mute Rufus Hound
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    Mar 3rd 2014, 10:50 PM

    They won’t be sending him to the ‘Joy, John. It’ll be Arbour Hill, most probably, with the other sex offenders.

    84
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    Mute Mossie Murphy
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    Mar 3rd 2014, 10:37 PM

    A horrible beast.. He was lucky not to be lynched.

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    Mute Stephen Duggan
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    Mar 3rd 2014, 10:59 PM

    Why would somebody red thumb that comment ? A closet pedophile ? Another deranged person with inklings of attacking young girls ? HOW can anybody who is in any way human at all not agree that lynching is what that animal needed ? And there’ll be the do gooders saying “let the law decide”, BS this animal needed and needs putting down. He orally,anally and vaginally raped SIX and NINE year old girls !!!! HOW TF does he deserve any better ? My God my blood is boiling at what happened those poor kids,I’d take his life in a heart beat and know that God would forgive me.

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    Mute Stephen Duggan
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    Mar 3rd 2014, 10:54 PM

    Yes Justice was served,and to the best extent that the law allowed. However I’ll state again what I stated earlier,we need to hold a referendum in this country to introduce changes to our judicial laws and sentencing. Two questions,A. Do you want to introduce and give a judge the ability to impose FULL LIFE sentences in cases of 1st degree murder,rape of and sexual assault of children and adults. B. Do you want to introduce and give a judge the ability to impose the death penalty in cases of 1st degree murder,rape of and sexual assault of children and adults. Obviously the wording may need changing,I’m no lawyer but you get my drift. Let the people decide how depraved people like this animal are sentenced,we were allowed do it for judges pay and should be given this right as well. IMO the judicial process and sentencing in this country is way too lenient in cases such as these. Wouldn’t it be nice to see REAL JUSTICE handed out for a change ? Prayers and thoughts with these victims and the many countless victims of crime in our country who see their perpetrators get away with sentences that in no way reflect their crime.

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    Mute HarpoAV
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    Mar 3rd 2014, 11:28 PM

    Recovery is possible ????? Really ???? I read the other article about the victim impact statements with tears streaming down my face …. Those poor children and their poor parents !!! How will they ever get over what happened …. I know there’s support there for them but will it ever take those images away or bring back the innocence of those little girls ??
    I hope they find some peace though …. And that monster gets what’s coming to him

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    Mute Fergal Reid
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    Mar 3rd 2014, 11:49 PM

    Who would give this animal parole AGAIN?

    72
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