A man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court accused of the attempted murder of a police officer in Downpatrick last weekend.
The incident occurred on Colmcille Road in the County Down town on Sunday, when a stolen police car was driven at the officer. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned it as a “horrific incident”.
During the hearing at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning, it was revealed that the officer remains in hospital and is “seriously unwell”. The officer sustained a broken wrist, a crush injury to a leg that cannot bear weight, head injuries, cuts, and abrasions, and is in “a great deal of pain”.
Conor Carey, 36, of Glassheena Road in Downpatrick, appeared in court charged with attempted murder in relation to the incident. He is also charged with aggravated vehicle taking causing injury on the same date and driving without insurance. When asked if he understood the charges, he replied “yes”.
A detective sergeant stated that he can connect the accused to the charges. A defence lawyer for Carey said his client “strenuously denies any involvement in the matter”. The lawyer added that there would be no application for bail at this stage, but it may be considered in the near future. The case was adjourned until June 18.
In a separate development, on Monday, Kieran Turley, 27, from Vianstown Road in Downpatrick, appeared before the same magistrates’ court charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and using a motor vehicle with no insurance. He was remanded in custody to appear in court again later in June.
