VIOLENT criminal Lee McDonnell went on a vicious crime spree in the North after his escape from a prison van in December.
The vicious thug, from Ballyfermot, Dublin, is believed to have been involved in a spate of crimes in Armagh as well as in Louth and the capital while he was on the run.
Sources say McDonnell (23) and a convicted drug dealer pal from Ballyfermot had been staying at an address at Callan Bridge Park in Armagh following the thug’s escape.
The house was owned by a man who has republican connections and owed a favour to associates of McDonnell due to a debt.
However, a source said McDonnell outstayed his welcome after he “went on a rampage” in Armagh and Louth.
“He caused terror. He targeted business people in their homes and took cash and other valuables after putting knives to their throats and guns to their heads. I know some of the families robbed and they were left severely traumatised.”
The source said it is believed the Armagh man who supplied McDonnell with the house had given him information on which business owners to target.
As well as the home invasions, McDonnell is suspected of targeting business premises.
In one such incident, a Dundalk shop owner was viciously attacked by two men, believed to be McDonnell and an associate. The pair stole a silver VW Golf in Armagh before driving to Hackballscross on January 6. They jumped from the stolen vehicle and attacked the shop owner before making off with a sum of money.
The PSNI believe the same vehicle was also linked to an attack in Culloville, near Crossmaglen.
In another incident in the Republic, McDonnell and an associate tried to hold up a security van collecting cash from an insurance firm in south Dublin. During the incident the security man was injured when McDonnell’s associate deliberately ran into him with a car.
The raid was foiled when a motorcyclist saw what was happening and tackled McDonnell, pulling a balaclava off his head. Gardai carried out searches looking for McDonnell after that incident, but he is believed to have fled to the North at the time.
However, McDonnell was eventually asked to leave the house in Callan Bridge Park.
He is believed to have turned on the Armagh man and assaulted him when he was asked to leave.
“He gave him a serious hiding and left him in a very bad way,” said a source. “It wasn’t just a dig or two. It was a right going over.”
McDonnell’s associate was arrested by the PSNI and is facing a number of serious charges related to the crime spree. It is understood McDonnell is under threat from republican figures as a result of his crime spree.
He has also been involved in a long-running feud with traveller criminals.
McDonnell is believed to have left Armagh in recent weeks before being arrested at the weekend. The thug was seen by gardai on Saturday evening walking at Rowlagh Avenue in Ronanstown in Dublin around 5pm.
He sprinted away when he saw the gardai approaching and ran across a number of gardens. McDonnell was eventually cornered when he climbed onto the roof of a garage before giving himself up.
He was brought to Ronanstown Garda Gtation and transferred to the Midlands Prison.
A spokesman for the Prison Service confirmed he was back in custody but declined to speak about disciplinary procedures that he faces.
Meanwhile, three prisoner officers who were on escort duty transporting McDonnell could face disciplinary proceedings. The investigation is focusing on how McDonnell was not handcuffed when he made his escape.
He fled after the van stopped to pick up chips in Dublin.
