Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Gardai join in hunt for child killer Clifford, 56
Rapist seen boarding Enterprise train PSNI appeal over on-the-run pervert
GARDAI are helping the PSNI hunt for on-the-run child killer John Clifford after he boarded a Dublinbound train.
Police released a CCTV image of the convicted murderer at Belfast’s Lanyon Place station on Sunday.
They said he boarded at 1.05pm and Translink have since confirmed the only train to leave at that time was the Enterprise service to Dublin.
It stops in a number of towns both north and south of the border before reaching Dublin Connolly.
They are Portadown, Newry, Dundalk and Drogheda.
A spokesman for the Garda said they do not go into detail about probes on named individuals.
He added: “Gardai are assisting the PSNI in relation to their investigation.”
Clifford was jailed in 1989 for the rape and murder of his eight-year-old niece Sue Ellen Clifford, whose body was later found by disused railway tracks near her home in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim.
The youngster’s sister Deborah Adair said on Tuesday she is convinced he will kill again.
Clifford had been released from Burren House on the Crumlin Road for an appointment, but did not return on Sunday evening as expected.
The “working out unit” houses up to 22 felons getting ready to leave prison life and is a satellite of Maghaberry Prison. The Northern Ireland Prison Service told the Mirror: “Should a prisoner become unlawfully at large, the matter is reported to the police for investigation. We do not comment on individual cases.” PSNI Det Insp Michael Mcdonnell thanked “members of the public who have contacted us with information”. He said: “We located the mobility scooter John was using and believe he boarded a train at 13.05 at Lanyon Place train station on September 2.
“He is 1.75m tall with green eyes and fair hair.
“He is of medium build with a fresh complexion. “I would again appeal to anyone who may have seen him, or who may have information about his whereabouts to contact us on 101. “I would also appeal directly to John to hand himself in.”