A man who escaped from a Dublin garda station after being arrested in connection with a gangland assassination has been recaptured. He carried out at least four armed robberies while on the run.

The man, who is in his late 30s and from the north inner city, simply walked out of his cell at Santry garda station on 19 July after realising that the lock was faulty. He managed to make his way out of the station and had left the area by the time officers discovered that he had absconded.

There have been a spate of armed robberies in bookies, chemists and post offices in the north inner city and north Dublin over the past two weeks and detectives have linked him to four incidents and are investigating two others.

The Sunday Tribune understands that he will appear in court this week charged with a robbery in the north inner city. He has previously served a lengthy jail sentence for armed robbery.

He had been arrested in connection with the murder of drug dealer Anthony Foster in Coolock last month. Gardaí suspect that he was involved in sourcing the motorbike which was used as a getaway vehicle by Foster's killer.

When detectives searched his home they recovered a number of weapons, including a 9mm pistol and ammunition.

He was arrested and was in custody for less than 24 hours when he escaped. He could legally have been held for 72 hours.

Over the past two weeks gardaí across Dublin had been on high alert for the fugitive and searched several properties but were unable to locate him.

CCTV footage obtained from armed robberies carried out in Whitehall identified the missing man as being responsible. He was armed with a handgun during the incident but it is believed that the firearm was an imitation.

Last Wednesday evening detectives, acting on confidential information, detained the suspect on Dominic Street, near Dublin city centre. He did not resist when he was approached and was subsequently taken back to Santry station.

It is understood that he was questioned about the Foster murder and refused to answer any questions.

In addition to being charged with the armed robberies the man is also facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and is also likely to be charged with absconding.

He was not regarded as being a serious criminal and operated on the fringes of gangland.

An inquiry is under way at Santry as to how he managed to escape. It is believed that staff were aware that the cell door lock was faulty but there was a lapse in communication.