A VIOLENT prisoner who escaped custody last week is still at large. Two separate investigations are underway into how a prisoner escaped custody while attending a hospital in Limerick last Wednesday (November 12).
John Moloney (23), of South Claughaun Road, Garryowen, Limerick, has been on the run for the past week.
Mr Moloney was one year into a four and a half year sentence at Limerick Prison for committing arson.
He fled from prison officers while attending St John’s Hospital for treatment to one of his hands.
A Garda manhunt was continuing to search for Moloney, who it was suspected was picked up in a vehicle by an accomplice.
The Irish Prison Service (IPS) last week said it alerted Gardaí immediately about the getaway, adding that it was “investigating the circumstances of the escape”.
A week on from his escape, Gardaí said they “don’t have any updates at this time” around Moloney.
The IPS this week said that “when a prisoner absconds, An Garda Síochána are notified and they have the power to detain, arrest, and return such persons to prison”.
“Gardaí were alerted by the Irish Prison Service to an incident where a prisoner escaped from lawful custody at a hospital in Limerick City, Wednesday 12th November 2025,” a Garda spokesman said last week, adding that “investigations are ongoing.”
Moloney was jailed last November after pleading guilty to petrol-bombing a house and damaging vehicles with a hurley.
His sentencing hearing at Limerick Circuit Court heard he threatened an injured party and told them “I’m going to eradicate you”, before attacking a car with a hurley.
The occupants of the house attacked by Moloney and others were left terrified by the ordeal, the court heard at the time.