North: Escaped prisoner rearrested

A high-risk prisoner who had been on the run in the North for more than a month has been rearrested, police said today.

David Taggart, (aged 24), fled the courthouse at Lisburn, Co Antrim, after being remanded on charges of attempted murder and threatening to kill on June 7.

It is understood he persuaded civilian security guards to open his cell door and then attacked them.

A police spokeswoman said Taggart was arrested in the Antrim Road area of Belfast around 6am.

Taggart is originally from the Shankill Road area of Belfast.

Chief Superintendent Ken Henning praised the team who took part in the dawn operation.

Mr Henning said: “The rearrest of David Taggart is as a result of very intensive policing and I commend all those involved in the capture of this high-risk prisoner.”