Darcy Dugan
| Darcy Dugan | |
|---|---|
 Darcy Dugan, police photo 1949. Image from the State Library of New South Wales |
|
| Born | 1920 Sydney, New South Wales |
| Died | 1991 Glebe, New South Wales |
| Conviction(s) | Bank robbery |
Darcy Ezekial Dugan (29 August 1920 – 22 August 1991) was an Australian bank robber and New South Wales' most notorious prison escape artist. [1][2]
Darcy Dugan grew up in the inner suburb of Annandale in Sydney. During his criminal career, he committed numerous armed holdups, robbing banks[2] and even a hospital.[2] However he became more famous for his daring escapes than for his initial crimes.[2][3]
On 4 March 1946, Darcy Dugan escaped from a prison tram which was transporting him between Darlinghurst Courthouse and Long Bay Gaol.[4] As the tram passed the Sydney Cricket Ground, Dugan used a kitchen knife to saw a hole through the roof, through which he escaped. The tram is still kept today at the Sydney Tramway Museum.[5]
After another prison escape, Dugan reportedly left behind a note scrawled on the wall of his cell which read, "Gone to Gowings." [6] Dugan served a total 35 years in prison, exactly half of his life. He served his final prison sentence at Long Bay Goal and was released on parole in 1984.
[edit] Final years
He worked as a rehabilition officer during his final years of freedom until his health declined. Darcy Dugan died in Glebe, New South Wales from Parkinson's disease on 22 August 1991. [7] He was buried at Rookwood Catholic Cemetery on 29 August 1991. [8]
[edit] References
- ^ "Larrikin thief's last gamble marks his grave". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2002-11-06. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/05/1036308311457.html. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
- ^ a b c d "Celebrity criminals". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2006-01-18. http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=140462. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
- ^ N.Lipson & T.Barnao. 'As Crime Goes By - The Life and Times of "Bondi" Bill Jenkings. Published 1992, Ironbark Press, Australia.(ISBN 1 875471 14 6) - Chapter 5, 'Darcy and Me'.
- ^ "Bakery Bulletin". Hurstville City Council. 2002. http://www.hurstville.nsw.gov.au/_upload/files/SGRM%20Bakery%20Bulletin%20Vol.3%20No.2.pdf. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
- ^ "Sydney Tramway Museum". NineMSN Getaway. 2001-07-19. http://getaway.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=17102. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
- ^ "Slang - Gone to Gowings". ABC Radio Canberra. 2002-01-22. http://www.abc.net.au/canberra/stories/s463488.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-29.[dead link]
- ^ Sydney Morning Herald, 28 August 1991. Death Notice. Darcy Ezekial Dugan.
- ^ Rookwood Catholic Cemetery. Mortuary 2. Area 7. Grave 1590.
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