A 49-YEAR-OLD man who failed to return to prison after he was granted leave more than four years ago was remanded back in custody.

Martin Maughan, with an address of Hudson Heights, Irvinestown, appeared via videolink at Enniskillen Magistrates Court to face the charge of being unlawfully at large since March 1, 2017.

An officer told the court they were able to connect the defendant to the charge.
The court heard that Maughan was serving a sentence in Magilligan Prison which had three weeks left.

The defendant was out on leave and did not return, with his solicitor, Tommy Owens, telling the court the reason he did not return was because he was under pressure to bring drugs into the prison on his return, and had fears for his safety.

Maughan had 16 previous convictions in Northern Ireland, and 82 in the Republic of Ireland, and while he had given an address in Irvinestown, the police officer said he had not been living there in the past year.

Mr. Owens said his client had gone to police in Enniskillen two years ago about the situation, but they were not interested, and said Maughan would adhere to bail conditions while the matter was sorted out.

However, police were strongly opposed to bail, while there were also queries as to whether Maughan was entitled to bail while he still had three weeks left on his sentence.

In the end, District Judge Steven Keown remanded Maughan in custody and he will appear again on May 10.