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On-the-run murderer may consent to surrender, High Court hears
Summary
The High Court heard that Thomas McCabe, convicted in London in October 1990 for the murder of 16-year-old Richard Hunt, has indicated a willingness to consent to his surrender to Northern Ireland authorities. McCabe, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for attacking Hunt with a scaffolding pole, had been released on licence from Maghaberry Prison but had his licence revoked in January 2018 following breaches. He was arrested by gardaí in August on a European Arrest Warrant issued by the PSNI after absconding for two years. Counsel Mr Kieran Kelly stated that McCabe seeks assurances he will be kept separate from the general prison population due to safety concerns, including potential implications in a gang-related incident. Mr Justice Paul Burns noted that Northern Ireland authorities already have an obligation regarding McCabe's safety and expressed a preference to determine the matter immediately. However, acknowledging that an agreement to surrender might be reached within two weeks, the judge adjourned the proceedings until October 28. The State solicitor sought an explicit statement of consent, while counsel for McCabe requested correspondence with prison authorities to facilitate his separation from the mainstream population. The matter was adjourned, not concluded, to allow for these discussions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: On-the-run murderer may consent to surrender, High Court hears. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- October 1990 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2018 Incident
- October 28 Adjournment
- 2020-10-14 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; McCabe had been sentenced to life by a London court for the murder but was sent back to his native Northern Ireland to serve out his sentence. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in London in October, 1990, for the murder of Richard Hunt – a cousin on McCabe's then girlfriend – who was attacked with a scaffolding pole by McCabe.
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