Police in the North have confirmed that a convicted murderer who escaped from prison staff during a hospital visit in County Down last week has been arrested in Belfast.

Superintendent Sean Wright said, “Following extensive police enquiries and with support and assistance from the public, officers arrested Thomas Valliday in Belfast earlier this evening. He will be taken for interview by police before being returned to prison in due course.

He thanked the public for their assistance.

Thomas Valliday was jailed in 2010 and told he would serve at least 17 years for battering 51-year-old Frank 'Bap' McGreevy to death in Belfast, while high on drink and drugs.

Valliday attacked the former IRA prisoner in his flat in Ross Street in Belfast in March 2008 with a variety of weapons.

Mr McGreevy died three days later.