Two prisoners described by the PSNI as "dangerous" escaped from a courthouse in Co Down today.
The men staged a break-out from the cells at Downpatrick Courthouse shortly before they were to appear in court.Officers inside the court complex detained a third man who tried to escape.
In a warning to the public, a PSNI spokesman said: "Both men are described as dangerous."
They are believed to have been responsible for the hijacking of a car from a woman who was ordered out of her red VW Golf with her baby in the centre of the town.
The terrified woman was later treated for shock. One police officer who was injured while trying to block the escape from the courthouse was taken to hospital suffering from head injuries and shock.
The escaped men have been named as Ian Oliver Carlin (31), from Ardglass, Co Down, and David Albert Taggart (22), from Moira, Co Down.
It is understood Taggart was awaiting sentencing in connection with the murder of a man in Belfast, and Carlin was facing charges of robbery, assault and unlawful imprisonment.
The PSNI said the men are "dangerous" and could pose a danger to the public. They advised the public not to approach them but to get in touch with police at Downpatrick.
PA