11/09/2018

On-The-Run Child Killer Arrested In Newry

Escaped child killer John Clifford has been arrested by police in the Newry area after more than a week on the run.

The 56-year-old man did not return to custody as expected on Sunday, 02 September, after he was allowed out on day release from Burren House on the Crumlin Road.

He has now been found and is being returned to prison.

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.

Detective Inspector Michael McDonnell said: "I would like to thank our An Garda Síochána colleagues for their assistance in locating Mr Clifford and facilitating his return to Northern Ireland. I would also like to thank those members of the public who contacted us with information and the media for their assistance in publicising our appeals for information."

(CM/LM)

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