Mental health of police attacker in question

The man who beat a woman police officer about the head with an iron bar, leaving her in a critical condition in hospital, has been committed to secure accommodation under the Mental Health Order.

The 30-year-old man, who is believed to be from the Republic of Ireland, gained access to a private part of Lisburn police station where the assault took place. Two other officers were hurt as they tried to intervene in the attack in the early hours of Monday morning.

The female police officer remains in a stable, but critical condition in hospital following the attack.

The woman, who is in her 50's, is married with three children. Her family are said to be in a state of shock.

Meanwhile, DUP Policing Board member Ian Paisley jnr has called for an urgent review of security at Police Stations following the attack. He said: “My thoughts are with those officers injured and particularly the policewoman who is critically ill. Serious questions must now be asked as to how this situation arose where officers were attacked at their place of work.

"Security at stations appears to have become so lax as to endanger the officers and civilians who work in them. This is an unacceptable situation and one that will have to be addressed.”

(MB)