Prisoner escort service
**from the ‘well, duh!’ dept. This is the second time Taggart has done this.
Prisoner escort policy criticised
David Taggart who has escaped from a courthouse
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 “high risk” prisoner David Taggart, 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 24-year-old, charged with attempted murder, remains at large after breaking out of Lisburn courthouse.
He fled after being remanded in custody on the attempted murder charge and a threat to kill charge at the County Antrim court on Tuesday.
Police have described him as a “high risk prisoner” who should not be approached.
Two security guards were injured in the incident. Shots were later fired by police trying to re-capture him.
The prisoner broke out of the courthouse at about 1335 BST on Tuesday.
Vehicles being stopped in the hunt for the man
He had been in the custody of private security firm Maybin Security Services at the time.
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.
The prisoner was later spotted a mile outside Lisburn, near Knockmore halt. Shots were fired, but no-one was injured. The Police Ombudsman was informed.
Northern Ireland Security Minister Shaun Woodward, who expressed his concern at the break out, said the police were doing all in their power to apprehend the escapee.
“I am confident that we will manage to do so,” he said.
“But nonetheless, like everybody else, when these things happen, it is pretty shocking and we need to act quickly.”
He 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.
