A 75-year-old man was hit by baton rounds fired by PSNI officers today as they responded to a firearms incident.
A number of AEP (Attenuating Energy Projectile) rounds were discharged by officers attempting to arrest the man in the Ballybeen area of Dundonald, Co Down shortly before 2am.
The non-lethal weapon was introduced by the PSNI in 2005 as a safer alternative to the controversial “plastic bullets”.
The man was struck with a number of the rounds in an effort to subdue him but sustained no injuries. He was taken to hospital for checks but discharged back into police custody.
It is understood the man was armed with a suspected revolver. The weapon has been sent for tests.
The man was later released from custody pending a report being sent to the Public Prosecution Service.
A PSNI spokesman said the use of the AEP was “an appropriate and proportionate tactical option, to bring the matter to a safe conclusion”. Officers were initially called to the area after reports of a person in distress in a house.
The Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland has been informed and is carrying out an investigation.