Run away.

THE AUTHORITIES in the Republic are powerless to force the return of Peter Darragh Quinn to the State to serve the sentence imposed on him by the High Court last week if he has left the jurisdiction.

Garda sources said last night a number of addresses in the Republic linked to him had been visited but there was no sign of him or any indication of where he might be.

If Mr Quinn were tracked down by police in the North where he resides, or in another country, it would be impossible to forcibly return him to the Republic because he has not committed a criminal offence.

This means Mr Quinn, with an address in Fermanagh, can only be brought before the High Court or committed to prison in the Republic to serve the sentence if he voluntarily presents himself to gardaí.

Peter Quinn Cannot Be Forced To Return If He Has Left State (Conor Lally and Niamh Sweeney, Irish Times)