Police have issued a public appeal for information on the whereabouts of a man who is unlawfully at large after failing to return to prison over seven months ago.

Patrick McDonagh, 37, absconded while on compassionate leave from HMP Maghaberry on Thursday, March 12, 2026. He was on remand awaiting trial for blackmail and money laundering related offences under the Serious Crime Act 2007.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said that despite extensive efforts to locate and arrest him, he has evaded police. The PSNI has released his photograph and is appealing to anyone who has seen McDonagh or knows of his whereabouts to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1147 12/03/26. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Political representatives have raised concerns about the delay in issuing a public appeal. Fermanagh and South Tyrone DUP MLA Deborah Erskine said it was astonishing that a public appeal was only made seven months after McDonagh failed to return to custody. She questioned why the public had not been informed sooner and noted that McDonagh was not named on the Department of Justice's published list of unlawfully at large prisoners.

Erskine called on the Justice Minister to explain the circumstances surrounding the case, including how compassionate leave decisions are made for prisoners on remand and why the appeal took so long. She said the public deserves clear answers, transparency and accountability, and that her thoughts are with the victims of crime upon learning such news.

Independent unionist MLA Doug Beattie also commented, saying the system of managing prisoners is broken. He asked why the Department of Justice did not put a notice on their website and why police waited six months before appealing to the public.

The Department of Justice has a dedicated webpage listing unlawfully at large prisoners, but McDonagh does not appear on it. When asked why, the department said his disappearance is a police matter.

The PSNI was asked for details about distinguishing marks, where McDonagh was known to reside, or where he was last seen, but did not provide them. The PSNI stated that extensive proactive searches and enquiries have been ongoing but have proved negative, and they have now taken the step of releasing his photo to assist with enquiries.

McDonagh's disappearance follows other recent cases of prisoners absconding while on compassionate leave, including a murder convict who fled to Donegal during his father's funeral and was later found, and another murder convict who spent nine months on the run in the Republic before being caught and sentenced to additional time.