On-the-run Limerick prisoner is back behind bars for Christmas

A LIMERICK prisoner is back behind bars in plenty of time for Christmas after a two-week sojourn on the outside.

A garda manhunt commenced after the young inmate escaped from custody during a hospital visit on Wednesday, November 12.

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The Sunday World reported that John Moloney, aged 23, from South Claughan Road, Garryowen in the city escaped during an escorted trip to St John’s Hospital. He was being treated for a suspected fracture to his hand.

It is believed he ran from a prison escort before being picked up and driven from the scene by an accomplice.

Moloney is serving a four-and-a-half-year sentence in Limerick Prison for violent disorder, assault and criminal damage.

Crime World reports this Thursday that Moloney called Limerick Prison to hand himself in yesterday (Wednesday). Prison sources have confirmed to Limerick Live that he is back behind bars in Mulgrave Street.

An Garda Siochana have been contacted for comment.

It was reported by Limerick Live last November that Moloney was jailed for four-and-a-half years after a court heard how he had been present during a petrol bomb attack on a property and had damaged cars with a hurley.

The owner of the house targeted in the arson attack was “luckily washing down the garden at the time” or the damage to the home could have been considerable, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda Peter Connolly.

Mr O’Sullivan said the first incident occurred at Geraldine Villas, Mulgrave Street, Limerick city around 3.35pm on July 4, 2021.

Moloney pleaded guilty to Section 2 assault, criminal damage, production of a hurley in the course of a dispute and criminal damage of a cell at Henry Street garda station after he was arrested,

Mr O’Sullivan said Moloney told a named individual, “I’m going to eradicate you”.

“He started laughing and hitting a car with a hurley. He caused extensive damage to a red Renault.

"He threatened to ‘kill him and his son’. He was in a frenzy,” said Mr O’Sullivan, who added that Moloney was arrested by gardai after a foot chase.

The owner of the house and car outside it said, in a victim impact statement, that his wife was “consistently on edge and couldn’t sleep” afterwards.

He said they “just want to be left in peace”.

Moloney also pleaded guilty to violent disorder and criminal damage of a vehicle at Singland Park, Garryowen, at around 1pm on September 9, 2023.

“A Volkswagen Passat pulled up outside a house. Four males got out. Two petrol bombs were thrown in over the gate by a Mr X.

"A woman was hosing down the garden at the time. Only for that there could have been considerable damage. Three cars were damaged by the men - windows were broken.

"John Moloney was named as one of the attackers. The four had face coverings but they kept dropping,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

When Moloney was arrested in October 2023, he told gardai he was in St John’s Hospital at the time of the incident.

The victim told gardai she heard shouts of, “Ye will be moving out of Garryowen”.

She said a petrol bomb landed where one of the children had been. She said she genuinely feared for her life and her children’s lives.

Kenneth Kerins BL, who represented Moloney, put it to Det Garda Connolly that his client was not involved with throwing the petrol bombs. Garda Connolly agreed.

Mr Kerins read out letters of apology written by Moloney to the owners of the properties in the two incidents. He said he was sorry for the fear and distress caused, saying, “My behaviour was completely unacceptable”.

Moloney told the court he will be staying away from them and not engage in crime in the future.

The Irish Prison Service is investigating the circumstances of his escape.