On-the-run murderer returned to prison for second time

Thomas McCabe was arrested in the Republic of Ireland in August

A convicted murderer, who had been unlawfully at large since last year after going on the run for a second time, has been extradited back to Northern Ireland.

Thomas McCabe, who had been serving a life sentence for killing a teenager in London in 1990, failed to return to prison after day release on 23 August 2023.

The 60-year-old was arrested by gardaí (Irish police) in the Republic of Ireland in August 2024, and he was returned to prison in Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

McCabe was previously on the run for more than two years before being arrested by gardaí in 2020.

A spokesperson from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the force will continue to "work closely with authorities in the Republic of Ireland to return fugitives to Northern Ireland".

“Our message is clear to anyone who has left Northern Ireland to avoid the consequences of their actions: we will use all powers available to have you arrested and returned to Northern Ireland.”