98FM News has learned that two prison officers injured while trying to stop a violent criminal from escaping haven’t been able to return to work yet.
They were stabbed as notorious armed robber Derek Brockwell fled from a medical appointment at Tallaght hospital.
On February 17th, three unarmed prison officers escorted Derek Brockwell to Tallaght Hospital from Portlaoise prison where he was serving a seven year sentence for a string of armed robberies across Dublin.
Two of the officers were stabbed and he made his escape on the back of a waiting motorbike.
The Scot’s new-found freedom was short lived though. The following evening, he was tasered by the PSNI after being identified outside a pub in Belfast.
Prison officers Danny Buckley and Graham Flynn are still recovering from their injuries and as of yet have been unable to return to work.
The Prison Officers Association claims requests for an armed escort were denied and the Irish Prison Service is carrying out an internal review into the circumstances leading up to the dramatic escape.
A review of procedures for handling dangerous criminals like Brockwell is likely to form part of that inquiry.
