A Co Kildare man charged with attempting to kill a PSNI woman with an iron bar inside Lisburn police station had consumed a large quantity of alcohol and drugs before the attack, a court heard today.
Mr Ray Smullen (31) an unemployed bricklayer from Rathangan appeared at Lisburn Magistrates Court, Co Antrim, on seven charges, including attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent.
The charges relate to an attack last week at Lisburn Police Station in which a 54-year-old policewoman, Mrs Dorothy Sloan, was struck on the head.
Mr Smullen's solicitor, Mr Patrick Kelly, said his client had been to a party in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, where he had drunk 20 vodka and Red Bulls, some alcopops and had taken a gram of cocaine and amphetamines.
He had had no sleep for 48 hours and as a result "he was in a state of paranoia by the time he got to the police station", Mr Kelly told the court.
Detective Sergeant Patrick McAnestie, who charged Mr Smullen at Lisburn Police Station yesterday, said that he had replied "sorry" for the three of them when one of the charges was put to him.
The detective sergeant said he believed he could connect Mr Smullen to the charges.
Mr Smullen was also charged with attacking two other officers who tried to intervene, causing gross bodily to one and actual bodily harm to the second.
He was also charged with resisting arrest, aggravated burglary and possession of an offensive weapon.
The court was told that before the attack Mr Smullen had asked for an ambulance.
He was taken to Lagan Valley Hospital, where he asked to speak to police. When officers arrived he made it known that he was concerned about his well being.
Mr Kelly said Mr Smullen had not taken the metal bar into the police station, but got hold of it after going into an area that was prohibited to the public.
After the attack Smullen was taken to Knockbracken Healthcare Park for psychiatric evaluation. Yesterday he was interviewed at Strandtown Police Station in Belfast, the court heard.
Det Sgt McAnestie confirmed that Mr Smullen had expressed remorse and shown concern for the three injured officers.
Mother-of-three Mrs Sloan, who was left critically ill after the attack, regained consciousness last week and is now described as comfortable. One of the other two officers required stitches in his head and the third received an arm injury.
Mr Smullen was remanded in custody to appear by video link at Lisburn Magistrates Court on September 2nd.