| Darcy Dugan | |
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Darcy Dugan, police photo 1949. Image from the State Library of New South Wales |
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| 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.
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]
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