Garda manhunt underway for escaped prisoner who fled during hospital visit

Gardai are hunting for a prisoner who escaped while visiting Tallaght Hospital this morning.

He was named as Keith Macken from Cabra, who is currently on remand and awaiting sentencing for assault causing harm.

It is understood that he was feeling unwell at Wheatfield Prison and taken to Tallaght for treatment, escorted by prison officers.

He then managed to give his prison escorts the slip while being attended to at the hospital.

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The full details of how he escaped are not known and a full scale investigation has been launched.

Prison sources say Macken, 43, has previously been treated in hospital.

The Irish Prison Service in a statement said: "The Irish Prison Service can confirm that a prisoner has escaped from lawful custody while on escort to Tallaght Hospital this morning.

"An Garda Siochana were notified immediately and provided with all the relevant information in relation to the prisoner.

"The Irish Prison Service is currently investigating the circumstances of the escape."

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