Two more arrests after officer struck by stolen police car

Two more people have been arrested in connection with an incident in Downpatrick, County Down, on Sunday in which a police officer fired his gun and was also seriously injured when he was hit by a stolen police car.

A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and aggravated vehicle taking causing injury, while a 27-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

Meanwhile, a man has appeared at Downpatrick Magistrates Court in relation to the same incident.

Kieran Turley, 27, from Vianstown Road in the town, was charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle with no insurance.

He was initially also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, but has since been released unconditionally on that count.

Appearing in the dock at Downpatrick Magistrates Court, Turley wore a grey tracksuit and listened as a police officer said he could connect him to the charges.

Judge Magill asked the officer if anyone else had been arrested, and the detective confirmed that a man and a woman remain in police custody "and enquiries are ongoing at this point".

It is understood part of that investigation relates to attempted murder after an officer was struck by a stolen police vehicle.

The court heard a car was being driven dangerously on the Flying Horse Road and Ardglass Road weaving across lanes early on Sunday morning.

A bottle was also thrown at police from the car.

When the car stopped and a suspect ran from the car, police said they later found the accused hiding in a garden of a nearby address.

The court heard the accused was found with the key to the vehicle.

Bail was refused and Turley will appear again in court on 25 June.

The incident began at about 04:45 BST on Sunday after a vehicle failed to stop for a police in the Fountain Street area of Downpatrick.

After that police crew returned to their station, other PSNI colleagues later found the vehicle in the Ballymote Walk area of the town.

A man then ran from the vehicle and officers pursued him on foot towards the nearby Colmcille Road.

"As officers returned to their police car, someone was in the driver's seat - driving erratically and directly towards an officer," said Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones.

After the officer discharged one round from his weapon, he was struck by the stolen police car and needed assistance from his colleagues and ambulance staff.

The suspect then abandoned the police car and left the scene.

The incident unfolded over the course of about 45 minutes.

The Police Ombudsman's Office confirmed that its investigators had attended the scene of the shooting, in line with standard procedures.

"We have been gathering relevant information, including any available video evidence, to assess the circumstances," said its director of investigations, Nikki Davis.

"Our thoughts are with the police officer who has been injured during the incident in Downpatrick and their colleague who was present," she added.

Sir Keir Starmer also said his thoughts are with the injured officer.

The Prime Minister said: "Violence against police officers is wholly unacceptable and will never be tolerated.

"This was a horrific incident. Those who wear the uniform do so to protect the public and uphold the law and any attack on them is an attack on the safety of our communities."

Policing Board Chair, Brendan Mullan, described it as an "extremely serious and reckless incident" and the officer survived what was a "life-threatening situation".

"This incident also provides a very serious reminder of the dangers officers can face in their service to the community," he added.