Convicted murderer arrested after going on the run

By Q Radio News and Caitlin Doherty, Press Association

A convicted murderer who went on the run in Northern Ireland after escaping day release has been arrested in Greater Belfast.

Samuel McKinley, 57, is serving a life sentence for the murder of a man in Southampton in 1996, but he absconded while on day release from Maghaberry Prison, Lisburn, on Thursday.

It is not the first time McKinley has evaded police, having escaped a number of times since 2002.

Unlawfully at large prisoner Samuel McKinley was located & arrested in the greater Belfast area this morning, Sunday 18 November. Police would like to thank the public for their assistance. McKinley absconded from the NI Prison Service during an unescorted day release on Nov 15.

— PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) November 18, 2018

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Prison Service said: "Mr McKinley had been returned to custody in February of this year following the revocation of his licence.

"Since his return to custody Mr McKinley has been granted four previous periods of temporary release, in response to recommendations from the Parole Commissioners. The Northern Ireland Prison Service are working with the Police Service of Northern Ireland to return this prisoner to lawful custody.

"The Prison Service cannot hold people indefinitely and pre-release testing is a vital component in preparing prisoners for release back into society."