Pearse McAuley | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1964/1965[citation needed] |
| Died | c. 18 March 2024 (aged 59) Strabane, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland |
| Spouse | Pauline Tully |
| Children | 2 |
Pearse McAuley (1964/1965[citation needed] –c. 18 March 2024) was aProvisional IRA member, who escaped fromBrixton Prison in London on 7 July 1991 along with his cellmateNessan Quinlivan, while awaiting trial on charges relating to a suspected plot to assassinate former brewery company chairman, SirCharles Tidbury.[1]
McAuley fled to Ireland, where he was granted bail while contesting extradition to Britain.
In 1999, McAuley was convicted ofmanslaughter in Dublin'sSpecial Criminal Court for his role inthe killing of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe in the course of anarmed robbery. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison.[2]
McAuley was released from prison in August 2009, having served ten-and-a-half years of his sentence.[3] TheCrown Prosecution Service announced it would not seek his extradition on charges related to the Brixton escape.[4] His release prompted adverse commentary in the Irish press, with McAuley being described as a "psychopathic gun nut".[5]
In 2003, he marriedPauline Tully, aSinn Féin councillor onCavan County Council and was granted day release from prison to attend the wedding.[6] The couple had two sons, and separated in February 2014.[7]
On Christmas Eve 2014, McAuley was arrested for stabbing Tully multiple times in front of their two children.[8] He was found guilty on 28 November 2015, and on 2 December 2015 was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment, the final foursuspended.[9][10]
In hervictim impact statement, Tully said "I am in absolute fear of him and fear that someday he will make another attempt on my life. I do not ever expect to enjoy a peaceful mind, but will live a life haunted by what happened to me."[11]
McAuley was released from prison on 24 June 2022.[11]
McAuley was found dead at his home in Strabane on 18 March 2024. He was 59. It is suspected that he died of natural causes a number of days before his body was found.[12]