10/09/2018

Escaped Child Killer Reportedly Spotted In Dublin City Centre

Escaped child killer John Clifford has reportedly been seen in Dublin city centre.

According to reports, there has been an as yet unconfirmed sighting of Clifford – who failed to return to a Maghaberry Prison satellite facility after being granted day release last Sunday, 02 September – near Temple Street Children's Hospital in the centre of Dublin.

Clifford is known to have boarded a cross-border train out of Belfast on the day he absconded. With the last confirmed sighting being reported in Balbriggan on Tuesday, 04 September.

It is understood that a woman in Dublin posted to Facebook claiming that the "rapist on the run from Belfast is literally after being in Hardwicke Lane when I was driving past.

"He looked straight in the window at me. After parking, he copped me taking the pics and ran, the scumbag!!!"

It is understood the the sighting was reported to gardaí but has not yet been confirmed.

Clifford was jailed in 1989 for the rape and murder of his eight-year-old niece, Sue Ellen Clifford. He had previously been released in 2005, but was returned to prison two years later for breaching the terms of his probation.

Clifford is described as being around 5ft 7ins tall and of medium build, with a fresh complexion, green eyes and fair hair.

When last seen, he was wearing a black beanie-style hat, a heavy black coat, grey trousers and black dress shoes.

He is also known to use a distinctive three-wheel mobility scooter with the registration EXZ 4974.

Police appealed to anyone who may have seen him, or who may have information about his whereabouts to contact them immediately.

They also appealed directly to Clifford to hand himself in.

Gardai have said that they are assisting the PSNI in relation to their investigation.

(MH/CM)

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