THOMAS MCCABE, THE IRISH KILLER FROM NORTHERN IRELAND, SURRENDERS AFTER 30 YEARS ON THE RUN

In a significant development in a long-standing case, Thomas McCabe, a man originally from Ireland, has voluntarily surrendered to authorities after being on the run for over three decades. McCabe, aged 56, was involved in a brutal murder that took place 30 years ago, and his case has remained a dark chapter in the history of crime in Northern Ireland and beyond.

Back in October 1990, McCabe was convicted at the Old Bailey in London for the murder of 16-year-old Richard Hunt. The incident occurred at Hunt’s home in London, where McCabe, under the influence of alcohol, attacked the teenager with a scaffolding pole. Richard Hunt was a visiting cousin of McCabe’s then-girlfriend, and the assault resulted in Hunt’s tragic death. The court sentenced McCabe to life imprisonment for his role in the killing.

Following his conviction, McCabe was transferred to serve his sentence in Northern Ireland, where he was released on licence in December 2008 after completing an 18-year term. However, his freedom was short-lived, as authorities revoked his licence in January 2018 due to multiple breaches of the conditions attached to his release. These breaches included leaving the jurisdiction without informing the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland, which led to his licence being revoked and him being considered a fugitive.

For two years, McCabe managed to evade law enforcement agencies, living under the radar in Ireland. His whereabouts remained unknown until August of this year when gardaí in Dublin apprehended him. His arrest was made possible through a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Laganside Courts in Belfast in December 2018. The warrant was part of ongoing efforts to bring McCabe to justice for his breaches of licence and his original conviction.

On the recent Wednesday hearing at the High Court in Dublin, McCabe appeared before Mr. Justice Paul Burns. During the proceedings, McCabe indicated his voluntary willingness to surrender and serve the remaining part of his sentence in Northern Ireland. He provided testimony confirming his consent to be transferred back to the North, where he would face the consequences of his past actions.

Justice Burns ordered that McCabe be remanded in custody and surrendered to authorities in Northern Ireland within less than ten days. The court emphasized that the surrender was necessary due to breaches of his licence, specifically for leaving the jurisdiction without notifying the authorities in Northern Ireland, which is a violation of the conditions of his release.

During the hearing, McCabe’s legal representative, barrister Mr. Kieran Kelly BL, expressed that his client was willing to be surrendered but sought assurances regarding his safety while in custody. McCabe, who has connections to Newry, Lisburn, Newtownabbey, and Dublin, had previously expressed fears for his safety, citing concerns about potential gang-related violence within prison. Mr. Kelly explained that McCabe had been living in the South and was worried about being targeted in prison due to his past.

Justice Burns acknowledged these concerns, stating that the authorities in the North have an obligation to ensure McCabe’s safety while in custody. The court indicated that prison services would be responsible for providing adequate protection, and that McCabe’s safety was a matter for the authorities to address.

McCabe’s case has attracted considerable attention, especially given his long period of evasion and the severity of his original crime. The police in Northern Ireland, specifically the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), had issued a reward for information leading to his arrest. His case remains a stark reminder of the enduring impact of violent crime and the complexities involved in bringing long-term offenders to justice after decades on the run.