A teenager from the travelling community was today ordered to stand trial accused of trying to kill an armed police officer with a crossbow.

Standing in the dock of Antrim Magistrates Court, 19-year-old Barney Joyce was charged with trying to kill Sergeant Buxton and attempting to cause the officer grievous bodily harm with intent on 11 May this year.

Joyce, with an address at the Rathenraw Holding site, was also charged with possessing a crossbow and an axe with intent to commit assault on the same date.

The charges arise after officers from the Armed Response Unit had to discharge their weapons during an incident at the temporary Travellers' site when they were confronted by a man wielding a crossbow.

Today a prosecution lawyer submitted there was a prima facie case against Joyce and as defence solicitor Aaron Thompson had no contrary submissions, District Judge Alan White said he was satisfied there was a case to answer.

Joyce was remanded back into custody and ordered to appear before Antrim Crown Court on 7 October for arraignment.

Belfast Telegraph