Wanted James Meehan
James Meehan, 55, who has been serving a life sentence in prison following a murder conviction in 2009, was on day release from Magilligan prison on Monday, December 9, but has failed to return.
“Police are appealing to anyone who has seen him, or who knows of his whereabouts, not to approach him directly but to contact police on 101, quoting reference 1251 09/12/24,” said a spokesperson.
“Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous.
“Police would also appeal directly to James to hand himself in.”
Meehan’s disappearance is the second time he has been unlawfully at large, after he crossed the border into the Republic of Ireland while on temporary leave from prison in 2022 to attend his brother’s birthday party.
The convicted killer had left an address in the Limavady area where he had been permitted to stay, and had to be extradited in order to be returned to prison in December 2023.
He was handed a further nine-month sentence in February this year after being convicted of being unlawfully at large in relation to the incident.
Meehan was handed a life sentence and ordered to serve a minimum of 14 years after he was convicted of murdering Londonderry man James McFadden.
Mr McFadden was attacked following a wedding reception in Co Donegal in 2007.
The 42-year-old died of a ruptured heart caused from blows inflicted outside his home in Derry’s Shantallow.
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