Corrigan Captured Near Hospital

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30977, 5 February 1966, Page 16

Corrigan Captured Near Hospital

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, February 4.

Jack Dillion Corrigan, the escaped mental patient, was captured just after 9 o’clock tonight less than 100 yards from Oakley Hospital, from which he escaped five days ago.

In those days Corrigan had crouched in his hiding place in the hospital grounds a few hundred yards from where he jumped to freedom.

Showing no ill effects from his time in the open, Corrigan surrendered without a struggle to the police party who found him.

He was tracked to a group of bushes near the entrance to the north-western motorway by police dog Adam following a tip from a passing motorist who sighted him on Great North road.

Corrigan slept at night in a disused rubbish tip about 400 yards from Oakley Hospital and lived on food he had hoarded before his escane.

He was jarred but not injured when his makeshift rope of bedclothes broke during his escape from the first floor of the hospital on Sundav night.

The report which led to his recapture came from Mr W. Houia. of 61 Holly street, Avondale.

He was going home from

work about 8.30 p.m. when he saw Corrigan walking along Great North Road, near Waterview. Mr Houia immediately telephoned the Central Police Station.

Four patrol cars were sent to the area. The police party included Constables G. C. Dowdle and T. A. Beast on with their dogs. Corrigan saw the police cars arrive and dashed into a clump of bushes near the motorway entrance. The police dog Adam picked up the scent and led his handler and other policemen straight to Corrigan’s hiding place. The escaper was escorted back to Oakley Hospital. Mr Houia said Corrigan was walking along a grass verge just past the entrance to the motorway. Miss K. Finnigan, Mr Houia’s fiancee recognised Corrigan immediately. “By the time we had turned round to have a good look at him he had crossed the road and was walking slowly along the footpath,” said Mr Houia.

“He did not appear to notice us.”