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Northern Ireland murder suspect freed from prison by mistake Northern Ireland murder suspect freed from prison by mistake
(35 minutes later)
The Northern Ireland Prison Service has mistakenly freed a murder suspect deemed extremely dangerous by the police.The Northern Ireland Prison Service has mistakenly freed a murder suspect deemed extremely dangerous by the police.
Michael Lawrence Smith, 38, from west Belfast, was on remand in the high-security HMP Maghaberry when he was released in error on Tuesday.Michael Lawrence Smith, 38, from west Belfast, was on remand in the high-security HMP Maghaberry when he was released in error on Tuesday.
He is charged with the murder of Stephen Carson, who was shot dead in his home in Belfast in front of his nine-year-old son and partner in February 2016.He is charged with the murder of Stephen Carson, who was shot dead in his home in Belfast in front of his nine-year-old son and partner in February 2016.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland appealed to the public to help in the recapture of Smith.The Police Service of Northern Ireland appealed to the public to help in the recapture of Smith.
A senior PSNI commander in Belfast described Smith as dangerous with “an extensive history of violence”. PSNI Det Supt Kevin Geddes said: “I would urge the public not to approach him, but contact police immediately. A senior PSNI commander in Belfast described Smith as dangerous with “an extensive history of violence”. Det Supt Kevin Geddes said: “I would urge the public not to approach him, but contact police immediately.
“I would ask Mr Smith to hand himself in to the authorities without any further delay and ask anyone who knows of his current whereabouts or who has any information to contact police on 999.”“I would ask Mr Smith to hand himself in to the authorities without any further delay and ask anyone who knows of his current whereabouts or who has any information to contact police on 999.”
Smith had previously applied for high court bail, which was rejected after police objections. At Carson’s funeral on Saturday, Father Brendan Smyth told the congregation that his family had had their lives “torn apart by darkness”. He added: “There is no justification for treating life in such a way.”Smith had previously applied for high court bail, which was rejected after police objections. At Carson’s funeral on Saturday, Father Brendan Smyth told the congregation that his family had had their lives “torn apart by darkness”. He added: “There is no justification for treating life in such a way.”
It is the second time in four months that the judicial and penal systems in Northern Ireland have come under fire for freeing or bailing prisoners charged with murder.It is the second time in four months that the judicial and penal systems in Northern Ireland have come under fire for freeing or bailing prisoners charged with murder.
In December, a suspected dissident republican charged in connection with the New IRA murder of prison officer David Black five years ago fled Northern Ireland after being granted bail.In December, a suspected dissident republican charged in connection with the New IRA murder of prison officer David Black five years ago fled Northern Ireland after being granted bail.
Damien McLaughlin was recaptured this month hiding in the Irish Republic. He is in custody under a European arrest warrant, which could result in his extradition back to Northern Ireland.Damien McLaughlin was recaptured this month hiding in the Irish Republic. He is in custody under a European arrest warrant, which could result in his extradition back to Northern Ireland.
In the McLaughlin case, the family of murdered prison officer severely criticised the courts for granting bail to a man described in court as playing a central role in the killing in November 2012. In the McLaughlin case, the family of the murdered prison officer severely criticised the courts for granting bail to a man described in court as playing a central role in the killing in November 2012.
The PSNI only discovered McLaughlin had fled Northern Ireland when he failed to sign in at a Belfast police station. When PSNI officers later raided a property in west Belfast where McLaughlin was residing they could not find him and noticed that milk more than a month old had not been opened in the house.The PSNI only discovered McLaughlin had fled Northern Ireland when he failed to sign in at a Belfast police station. When PSNI officers later raided a property in west Belfast where McLaughlin was residing they could not find him and noticed that milk more than a month old had not been opened in the house.
He appeared at the high court in Dublin last week. McLaughlin was granted bail in May 2014 but had not been seen by the PSNI since November.He appeared at the high court in Dublin last week. McLaughlin was granted bail in May 2014 but had not been seen by the PSNI since November.
He faces charges of aiding and abetting in the murder of Black on 1 November 2012, possessing items to be used in terrorism and belonging to an illegal organisation.He faces charges of aiding and abetting in the murder of Black on 1 November 2012, possessing items to be used in terrorism and belonging to an illegal organisation.
Black, 52, was shot dead on the M1 by dissident republicans as he drove to work in Maghaberry jail.Black, 52, was shot dead on the M1 by dissident republicans as he drove to work in Maghaberry jail.
DS Padraig Boyce told the court that McLaughlin was a passenger in a vehicle when arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda station in Co Donegal. The court heard he was dragged out of the car and his legs crossed and cable-tied. DS Padraig Boyce told the court that McLaughlin was a passenger in a vehicle when arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda station in County Donegal. The court heard he was dragged out of the car and his legs crossed and cable-tied.