Emergency attacks 'too common'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/7634079.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A judge has criticised the level of drunken attacks on the emergency services in Northern Ireland.

He was speaking as he refused bail to a Strabane man accused of attacking firefighters with a metal chain.

James Ward, 19, is charged with having an offensive weapon and assault during disturbances at a Travelling community site in Strabane.

Refusing bail, Mr Justice Weatherup said it was "all too common" for public services to be attacked.

Prosecution told the High Court that police were called to the scene by a fire crew who claimed to have come under attack from residents as they dealt with a burning caravan.

It was alleged that a large metal chain was swung at firefighters, who were told to get out of the site. Mr Ward was allegedly identified as the attacker.

A defence lawyer claimed, however, that it was "far from the strongest of cases", pointing out allegedly conflicting descriptions of the attacker.