Manhunt launched after parking meter thieves escape from prison

By Martina Nee

A manhunt was launched earlier this week when two brothers, who had been sentenced earlier this year in relation to a number of thefts from parking meters in Galway city, absconded from Castlerea Prison.

Vasile Feier (29) and Toader Feier (23), both Romanian nationals and who had addresses at Portland Street, Dublin, were last seen in the low-security, semi-open, Grove residential area of the Roscommon prison at around 11.30pm last Sunday. However, when prison officers went to check their rooms at 6.30am on Monday the two men were nowhere to be found. It is understood that the officers found a note saying “Sorry, but we had no choice”.

According to reports an investigation has been launched with prison officers using cherry picker machines to search for clues along the walls of the prison complex which are 25ft in height. Gardai are also enquiring if the men had outside help to scale the wall. The public are being asked to be vigilant while gardai continue in their bid to track down the two men.

In February of this year at Galway District Court the men were convicted of criminal damage charges to pay and display machines, attempting to commit theft, stealing the contents of pay and display machines, attempting to get into a mechanically propelled vehicle, and being in possession of instruments with intent to use in the course of committing an offence. Toader Feier was further charged with resisting a garda and threatening and abusive behaviour. Vasile Feier was sentenced to 22 months in jail plus a three year disqualification from driving while Toader Feier was sentenced to 23 months in jail.