A convicted murderer who was unlawfully at large for almost a year has now been extradited from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland.
Thomas McCabe was arrested in the Republic of Ireland on Saturday August 10 and extradition proceedings were completed today, with his successful return to Northern Ireland. The 60-year-old was wanted by the PSNI for being unlawfully at large from prison since August 23, 2023.
He was sentenced to life for the 1990 murder of a teenager in London and later released on licence.
However following a number of breaches his licence was revoked in January 2018.
He was on day release from prison and was due to return on August 23, but failed to so do.
Sergeant Davey from the International Policing Unit said: “Police Service of Northern Ireland continue to work closely with authorities in the Republic of Ireland to return fugitives to Northern Ireland.
“We will continue to work closely with An Garda Siochana to locate those who abscond the justice system. “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.”
McCabe has absconded several times previously and been repeatedly suspended from a pre-release programme over concerns about his inability to comply with conditions and fears he would commit further violent offences.
Before 2023, he had previously gone missing in 2020.