Prisoner who went on the run for almost four years found dead in his cell

A prisoner who spent almost four years on the run before being caught and sent back to jail was found dead last night in a cell in Cloverhill Prison

Foul play is not suspected in the sudden death of Michael Devlin who was aged in his late 40’s and was found unresponsive in a cell he shared with a number of other inmates in the west Dublin jail’s A landing.

A cause of death has not yet been determined for the convicted drug dealer who was in the closing months of a 10-year-jail sentence.

He was facing additional charges in relation to absconding from Shelton Abbey open prison in Co Wicklow in the summer of 2020.

Mr Devlin remained unlawfully at large since that time until he was arrested in early January and returned to the prison system.

His last address was in the midlands area where he was finally arrested but Mr Devlin was originally from Drogheda, Co Louth.

When contacted by the Irish Independent, an IPS spokesman said: “The Irish Prison Service can confirm that there was a death of a person in custody at Cloverhill Prison on 21st February 2024 and the next of kin have been notified.

“All deaths in custody are investigated by the Irish Prison Service, the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Síochána, where circumstances warrant.

“The cause of death is determined by the Coroner’s Office.”

Mr Devlin’s family have been notified of his death.

He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Judge Michael O’Shea on October 24, 2014 at Dundalk Circuit Court.

At the same hearing, his father Michael Devlin Snr, of St Finian’s Park, Drogheda, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment with the final four suspended.

The father-and-son had both pleaded guilty at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Cartown, Termonfeckin on September 20, 2013.

The court heard that an off-duty garda was out cycling when he was flagged down by a lorry driver with very little English looking for directions.

The off-duty garda immediately became suspicious because he had served in the area and did not recognise the company the driver was looking for or the address. He alerted his colleagues.

The lorry and container were placed under observation. The Devlins were seen to rendezvous with the lorry and they proceeded in convoy to an industrial estate.

Gardaí moved in and found 262 packages containing 65.5kg of cannabis worth €1.3 million.

Devlin Jnr who died in prison last night was a father-of-five and had 11 previous convictions. He had a long history of drug abuse and developed a heroin addiction in 2009. He explained that a quantity of heroin he was required to mind had gone missing and this offence arose out a need to clear a €10k debt.

He was described as being ashamed and remorseful for having had his father involved in such a matter.

When his appeal against his prison sentence was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in February, 2016, Mr Justice George Birmingham said the drug trafficking enterprise was a sophisticated operation. The lorry with overseas registration was met and there were others at the yard to receive delivery.

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