Man to appear in court charged with the attempted murder in north Belfast of two PSNI officers

DETECTIVES have charged a man with trying to murder two police officers in north Belfast last week.

The officers, two young men, were targeted as they responded to a 999 call in the Crumlin Road area in the early hours of Tuesday, 28 May.

They had just got out of their vehicle when two missiles were hurled at them, exploded just yards away.

The officers were not hurt, but were very shaken.

A number of houses were evacuated after the attack sparked a security alert in the area.

The 28-year-old suspect was detained in the Meole Brace area of Shrewsbury last Saturday by officers from West Mercia Police and detectives from the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit at the request of the PSNI.

He was subsequently brought back to Northern Ireland for questioning.

The suspect has been charged with conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to cause an explosion and preparing for an act of terrorism.

He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

A north Belfast woman was remanded in custody on Wednesday in relation to the attack.

Christine Connor also faced Belfast Magistrates’ Court charged with two counts of attempted murder, possession of pipe bombs with intent to endanger life, and preparation of terrorist acts.

A judge granted an application for her address to be withheld after being told of paramilitary threats and attacks on a previous family home.

Her 62-year-old mum Briege was arrested last Sunday for questioning.

She was later released from custody pending a file to the Public Prosecution Service.