‘Insufficient grounds’ to open probe into discharge of police firearm in Co Down

There are insufficient grounds to open an investigation into the discharge of a police firearm in Downpatrick, Co Down, earlier this year, the Police Ombudsman has said.

The Ombudsman will instead submit a report to the PSNI to consider whether any improvements to police processes, supervision or training may be required, given that the officer who discharged the firearm was struck by a police car he was responsible for and that a member of the public was driving.

Before 5am on May 31 2026 in Downpatrick, a vehicle failed to stop for police in the Fountain Street area.

It was was later located in the Ballymote Walk area and officers pursued a man on foot towards the Colmcille Road.

Officers returned to their police car and someone was in its driver’s seat and driving erratically towards an officer, the PSNI said.

The police statement at the time said the officer discharged one round from his firearm before the officer was struck by the vehicle and suffered serious injuries.

Police later arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder.

The Police Ombudsman’s on-call team was contacted in the early hours of May 31 and attended the scene.

“Ombudsman investigators conducted a range of enquiries, including crime scene assessment and the securing of evidence, including the police firearm.

“Police documentation, recordings of radio communications, body-worn video and CCTV footage, together with police officer statements, were obtained and carefully analysed.”

Police Ombudsman Jacqui Durkin found insufficient evidence to indicate that the officer who discharged the firearm had committed a criminal or disciplinary offence and therefore decided that the incident should not be subject to investigation.

“However, a report will be submitted to the PSNI to help identify any individual or organisational learning arising from the circumstances of this incident,” said Ms Durkin.