Prisoner-hunt police fire shots chasing wrong man
Police hunting an escaped prisoner fired shots while chasing the wrong man.
The hunt for David Taggart, 24, who escaped from the courthouse at Lisburn, Co Antrim, after being remanded yesterday on charges of attempted murder and threatening to kill, has been spread across the border.
At the same time the Police Ombudsman mounted an investigation after officers fired shots while chasing a man along a railway track outside Lisburn while mistakenly believing he was the escaped prisoner.
Only when they detained the man did they discover it was a totally innocent person and not Taggart. No-one was injured during the embarrassing case of mistaken identity.
It was the second time Taggart had escaped from a court cell.
Two years ago he managed to flee from Downpatrick Courthouse in Co Down after tricking his way out of his cell. He was on the run for three days before being recaptured.
It is understood that this time he tricked his way out after persuading civilian security guards to open his cell door and then attacking them.
Neither man, employed by Maybin Security Services, was seriously injured but one was treated in hospital.
After no sightings in the Lisburn area the intensive search in the city was scaled down today but stepped up elsewhere.
A close watch was being kept on all air and ferry ports and gardaí were alerted to be on the lookout for him.
However detectives believe the man, originally from the Shankill Road area of Belfast, has gone to ground in the province.
The PSNI described Taggart as a “high-risk prisoner” and said he should not on any account be approached.
Chief Superintendent Ken Henning said: “We are appealing to people: Do not approach him in any shape or form.
“If you happen to come across him, dial 999. Under no circumstances take him on yourself.”
Meanwhile the Prison Officers Association condemned the contracting-out of prisoner escort duties to civilian firms.
POA chairman Finlay Spratt said the British government was just trying to save money by contracting out.
And he added: “The people that awarded this contract to this private security firm have to take responsibility.”
The missing man is described as being 5ft 9in tall, of medium build, with blue eyes, dirty fair hair and ginger stubble. When he escaped he was wearing blue shirt and jeans.
Police believe he may well have shaved and changed his clothes since escaping.
