A 27-year-old man from Downpatrick appeared at Downpatrick Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle with no insurance.

District Judge Peter Magill refused bail and remanded Kieran Turley, of Vianstown Road, in custody until 25 June.

The charges relate to an incident on 31 May when a stolen police car struck an officer in Downpatrick.

Police said the sequence began around 04:45 when a blue Volkswagen Jetta failed to stop for officers in the Fountain Street area.

Officers later located the vehicle in Ballymote Walk. A man ran from the car and was pursued on foot toward Colmcille Road.

When officers returned to their patrol car, someone drove it erratically toward an officer. The officer discharged one round from his firearm before being struck by the vehicle.

The suspect abandoned the police car and left the scene. A 36-year-old man remains in custody on suspicion of attempted murder and aggravated vehicle taking causing injury. A 27-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop for police has been released on bail.