Escaped prisoner arrested at bar in Belfast city centre

POLICE arrested a prisoner in Belfast who escaped from custody in the Republic of Ireland.

Derek Brockwell, from Glasgow, attacked two prison warders escorting him to Tallaght Hospital from Portlaoise Prison on Tuesday.

He escaped on a motorbike driven by an accomplice.

Tonight, he was arrested at a bar on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre at about 7.30 pm.

Police said a Taser was used during his arrest.

Brockwell arrived in Dublin in February 2012 after absconding from a prison in Lancashire while he was on day release.

He was serving a life sentence for a series of armed robberies in London.

Gardai were liaising with the PSNI and British police in the search for Brockwell.

All airports and harbour authorities had been alerted.

Particular attention was being given to the port of Belfast.