A man allegedly involved in a daring court break-out by two dangerous prisoners in Co Down was today back in the dock.
Mr Colin Patrick Joseph O'Brien (31) was charged with three offences, including escaping lawful custody and causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer.
Mr O'Brien, whose address was given as care of Maghaberry Prison, had been in Downpatrick Court, Co Down, on Thursday, when a self-confessed murderer and another man escaped.
Mr David Albert Taggart (21) from Belfast and Mr Ian Oliver Carlin (31) of Arglass, Co Down, forced their way out of the building and hijacked a Volkswagen Polo, pulling a woman and her baby from the vehicle.
Mr Taggart was due to appear at the court on motoring offences. He was awaiting sentencing for the murder of retired Ulster Museum curator Mr Lawrence Flanagan in April 2001, having already admitted the killing.
Mr Carlin was facing charges of robbery, assault and unlawful imprisonment. Both men have been described as extremely dangerous by the police.
It is understood Mr O'Brien, who faced charges similar to Mr Carlin, was prevented from escaping when they fled.
He denied assaulting the police officer and trying to escape.
He was remanded in custody to appear again at Downpatrick Court via video link from jail on May 15th.
Meanwhile, detectives found the hijacked car outside a nursing home between Castlewellan and Clough in Co Down.
Police have now focused their hunt for the two prisoners on the west Belfast area where they are believed to be hiding out.