Did the Justice System Fail Waterford’s Conny Mernin?

A notorious figure in Waterford city, Conny Mernin made national news on several occasions for his daring escapes from both Ballybricken and Clonmel jails. A life of crime began at an early age, his first arrest occurred when he was only 11-years-old. However, did a spell in reformatory and the penal system contribute to Mernin’s criminal activities rather than reform and rehabilitate him? Repeated attempts to better his lot appeared to be exacerbated by the society in which he inhabited… This is a truly sorry tale from the history books of Waterford on the harshness of the justice system and how it seems to have failed Conny Mernin and sealed his fate in life. Listen back to the full story with resident historian Cian Manning, on air every Wednesday morning just after the news at 9. Keep up to date on all the latest from The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna from 6am until 10am daily.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.