Man faces station attack charges

The man appeared at Lisburn Magistrates Court

An unemployed bricklayer from the Republic of Ireland has appeared before a County Antrim court charged with the attempted murder of a police woman.

Ray Smullen, 31, from Rathangan, County Kildare, appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he faced seven charges including causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a second officer, and assaulting a third officer, causing actual bodily harm.

The charges relate to an attack on a woman police officer who was struck on the head with an iron bar inside Lisburn police station last week.

Other charges include aggravated burglary with intent to commit grievous bodily harm, assaulting police, resisting arrest and possessing an offensive weapon.

The court heard that Mr Smullen had told the police he had been at a party in the Carrickfergus area and had had no sleep for 48 hours.

He said he had consumed a large quantity of alcohol and drugs and was suffering paranoia by the time he reached the police station.

A detective constable told the court that when charged, the accused replied "sorry" to three of the charges.

He was remanded to appear in court again on 22 September.