Derek Brockwell, a Portlaoise Prison inmate who escaped after stabbing two officers during a hospital visit, spent last night in hospital in Belfast.
A taser was used during the arrest of Brockwell (53) by PSNI officers in Belfast city centre on Wednesday evening. His well planned escape took place at Tallaght Hospital in Dublin more than 24 hours earlier.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said Mr Brockwell was located in the city centre after a police operation and that a taser was deployed during his arrest. The Police Ombudsman has been informed, the PSNI said.
He was arrested as he sat outside the The Bridge House, a pub on Bedford Street, where he was spotted having a drink.
When Brockwell’s whereabouts became known, PSNI officers called for support from an armed rapid reaction unit which moved in and executed his arrest.
A PSNI spokesman said Brockwell “proceeded to stab himself in the abdomen” when he was approached.
“To ensure no further injuries were caused to the man or others, police discharged a taser. He was then taken to hospital for treatment.
“As is normal procedure in such circumstances, police have self-referred to the Police Ombudsman’s office,” he said.
“The man was later arrested on suspicion of two counts of robbery and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon.”
A number of premises including a chemist were robbed in the area where Brockwell was arrested and the PSNI believe he may have been responsible.
Brockwell was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. A spokeswoman for the Belfast Health Trust said Brockwell was undergoing surgery for his injuries.
A full report has been ordered into the circumstances around the escape by Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald. Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the Government would follow through on the report.
The Prison Officers Association said questions must be asked about why armed gardaí were not part of the escort for a "violent and hardened" prisoner.
The inmate, who has been in jail in Ireland for over two years, is also one of the UK’s most wanted criminals and was featured on BBC’s Crimewatch programme.
He had been serving a life sentence in the UK for a string of violent robberies, mainly on betting shops, but absconded while on day release for training in the community three years ago.
In June 2012, he was caught by gardaí after he robbed a bank at gunpoint in Blackrock, Co Dublin before trying to escape in a taxi.
Fabian Beickhorasani, from Glengormley in north Belfast, said he was approaching Wetherspoons pub on Bedford Street in Belfast at about 6.45pm when he saw a “commotion” outside the premises.
“A man was being taken out by police. Tables and chairs outside the pub were being tossed around and there was a bit of a confrontation,” he said.
“As I got closer I could see about six or seven officers around the man; they seemed to have him on the ground,” he added. “He seemed to be trying to stand up.”
The prison officers were escorting Brockwell for a medical appointment from Portlaoise Prison to Tallaght Hospital when they were attacked just before 4pm on Tuesday.
Brockwell stabbed one officer in the abdomen and the other in the hand. He then ran to a waiting motorbike outside and was driven away at speed.
The injured officers were treated at Tallaght Hospital. The third officer on the escort, who was not injured in the attack, is said to be “extremely traumatised”.
An armed escort had previously been put in place for him but this was withdrawn last year.
Gardaí have appealed for public assistance in tracing Brockwell. He is described as being 190cm (6’3’’) tall with brown hair and broad build.
He is a prolific criminal who was jailed for life for a series of armed robberies in England and had 22 life sentences to run concurrently imposed on him. He carried out armed robberies on betting shops in London's Marylebone and Paddington areas during September and October 2009, deliberately selecting target shops with female cashiers. Because he had so many previous convictions, his trial judge imposed life sentences.
He had come to Ireland in early 2012 after he absconded from Kirkham Prison in England by failing to return there after being released to work in the community.
He had served some 13 years when he absconded.
