This is the chilling moment a fugitive was caught by armed Gardai in the heart of Ramelton.
Our exclusive pictures show on-the-run suspect Damien McLaughlin face-down on the town’s bridge with his legs bound with cable ties and his hands in handcuffs on Thursday afternoon.
Armed Gardai stand over McLaughlin, who had fled Northern Ireland after being charged in connection with the murder of prisoner officer David Black in 2012.
His car was sprayed with bullets on a motorway outside Belfast and he died.
During an intelligence-led operation, senior detectives and members of the Armed Response Unit pounced on McLaughlin and another 57-year-old man.
Armed Gardai stand over fugitive Damien McLaughlin. All pics by permission of the Irish Sun. These pictures cannot be reproduced in any form without their permission.
Driving two large jeeps, Gardai hemmed in the two men before taking them from the white Citroen Berlingo van.
The two men did not offer any resistance as they were pulled from their vehicle in a matter of seconds.
Passing motorists watched in disbelief as the two men were arrested and put into the back of the unmarked Garda vehicles before being driven away just after 3pm.
Damien McLaughlin is led away by armed Gardai. Picture by kind permission of the Irish Sun. These pictures cannot be reproduced without permission.
McLaughlin, aged 40, is understood to have been hiding out in Donegal for a number of months.
He appeared at the Central Criminal Court yesterday where he was remanded in custody until March 20th next.
Another suspect is held by armed Gardai on the bridge in Ramelton. Pic by permission of the Irish Sun. These pictures cannot be reproduced with permission of the Irish Sun.
