A MAN HAS been charged with the attempted murder of a PSNI officer who was struck by a stolen police vehicle in Co Down.

The PSNI officer was seriously injured after he was struck by the stolen patrol car in the early hours of Sunday morning.

At around 4.45am on Sunday 31 May, a vehicle failed to stop for police and the vehicle was later located in the Ballymote Walk area of Downpatrick.

PSNI officers observed a man running from the vehicle and a foot pursuit ensued.

As officers returned to their police car, someone was in the driver’s seat and they drove erratically and directly towards an officer.

The officer discharged one round from his firearm and was struck by the vehicle, causing serious injuries.

The police car was abandoned a short time later.

A 36-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and aggravated vehicle taking causing injury. 

He has since been charged and will appear before Downpatrick Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Kieran Turley (27) from Vianstown Road in Downpatrick, appeared before the town’s 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.