Man on bail over checkpoint incident

A 21-year-old man appeared in court today charged with injuring a policeman who was dragged hundreds of yards down a road by the driver of a car trying to escape a checkpoint.

Jonathan McQuillan, from Mica Drive, in the Beechmount area of Belfast, faced a total of seven charges relating to an incident which happened in the early hours of Sunday in the seaside town of Newcastle, Co Down.

McQuillan was charged with dangerous driving; causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving; resisting police in the execution of their duty; driving while disqualified; driving without insurance; failing to stop; and failing to provide a specimen.

He was granted bail after Newcastle Magistrates Court, sitting in Downpatrick, heard that the officer’s injuries were less serious than initially believed and that he had been discharged from hospital.

Police Service Sergeant John McKenna told the court that when questioned by police, McQuillan had expressed considerable remorse and offered his apologies to the injured officer.

He said there was a suspicion alcohol was involved in the incident.

McQuillan was granted bail of £500 (€700) with a surety of £100 (€139) to reappear at Newcastle Magistrates Court in a week’s time.

The bail was conditional on his remaining away from licensed premises, not drinking alcohol, accepting a 9pm-7am curfew, residing at his parents’ Belfast home and reporting twice a week to police.

The officer suffered head and face injuries in the incident, which happened in Newcastle at 1am on Sunday.

A second officer suffered minor injuries and was discharged from hospital immediately after treatment.