Police in East Belfast have shot a 75-year-old Ballybeen man using baton rounds. The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday morning after the man called the police in an agitated state. 

The 75 year old pensioner from the Ballybeen area of Dundonald was armed with what appeared to be a revolver. The result of the incident saw the police attend the scene and discharge two baton rounds.

The man was taken to hospital but was later arrested upon discharge. He is currently being held in custody and the firearm, or replica weapon has been sent for tests. The incident was responded to by the police's recently-formed Armed Response Vehicle Unit and is the first time that a firearm was discharged by the unit since its formation last month.

The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has appealed for information and is currently involved in forensics tests at the scene in Enler Park Central, East Belfast. Investigators have been conducting house-to-house enquiries in the East Belfast estate.

Last Updated 18th November 2008