ESCAPED MURDERER CAPTURED

POLICE last night arrested two men - including a self-confessed murderer - two days after an escape from Downpatrick courthouse.

Officers detained David Taggart shortly after 6.30pm in an operation mounted in the Ormeau area of south Belfast.

The 22-year-old, who is originally from the Shankill area of west Belfast, escaped custody on Thursday after a police officer was attacked, sustaining a fractured skull.

A second man who fled at the same time, Ian Carlin from Ardglass, was recaptured in west Belfast late last night.

Earlier, a man allegedly involved in the court break-out was back in the dock.

Colin Patrick Joseph O'Brien, 31, was charged with three offences, including escaping lawful custody and causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer.

O'Brien, whose address was given as care of Maghaberry Prison, had been in Downpatrick Court when Taggart and Carlin escaped.

The pair forced their way out of the building and hijacked a Volks- wagen Polo, pulling a woman and her baby from the vehicle.

Taggart, who was due to appear at the court on motoring offences, was also awaiting sentencing for the murder of retired Ulster Museum curator Lawrence Flanagan in April 2001. He had already admitted the killing.

Carlin was facing charges of robbery, assault and unlawful imprisonment.

O'Brien, who faced charges similar to Carlin, denied assaulting the police officer and trying to escape.

He was remanded in custody to appear again at Downpatrick Court via video link from jail on May 15.

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