'Sightings' in hunt for prisoner

David Taggart who has escaped from a courthouse

The search for a prisoner who escaped from a County Antrim courthouse has been extended, police have confirmed.

David Taggart, 24, fled from Lisburn where he had been remanded on charges of attempted murder and threatening to kill on Tuesday.

Police have described him as "dangerous" and said that finding him remained a priority.

Searches in Millisle, County Down, where it is understood there were claims of sightings, have now ended.

Earlier, PSNI Superintendent Ken Henning said police were looking for the escaped man in the wider Lisburn district, as well as in west and south Belfast.

The Irish police and the ports authorities have also been alerted.

"We have the public in Lisburn to protect and the public in other districts to protect. That is why we will do the best we can.

"We are appealing to people: Do not approach him in any shape or form," he said.

Chief Superintendent Ken Henning said the search had been widened

The prisoner broke out of the courthouse at about 1335 BST on Tuesday.

It is understood that he persuaded two security guards to open the door of his cell, attacked them and got out of the complex.

Neither guard was seriously injured, but one was treated in hospital.

The man had been in the custody of private security firm Maybin Security Services.

A PSNI spotter plane was involved in the hunt for him and officers searched the railway line between Lisburn and the nearby village of Lambeg.

Checkpoints were also set up on roads leaving Lisburn.

Police said a suspect chased at a railway line outside Lisburn turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. Shots were fired, but no-one was injured. The Police Ombudsman has been informed.

Contracts criticised

Meanwhile, the contracting out of prisoner escorts to and from court has been criticised by the Prison Officers' Association.

The POA's Finlay Spratt, speaking after the escape of the "high risk" prisoner, said the government was just concerned about saving money.

"These people that awarded this contract to this private security firm have to take responsibility," he said.

The missing man is described as 5ft 9ins, of medium build with blue eyes, dirty fair hair and ginger stubble.

He was wearing a blue shirt and jeans.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police at Lisburn.