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Attempted murder arrest after car collides with people outside bar

BBC Blue and white police tape across a road, someone in a white forensics suit is walking up the roadBBC
Two people were seriously injured in the incident outside a bar on Main Street in Millisle

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car collided with a number of people outside a bar in County Down.

Two people were seriously injured in the incident on Main Street in Millisle shortly after 23:00 BST on Saturday.

It was reported that, after the collision, the car turned around and drove past the bar again before making off from the scene.

The vehicle was found a short time later outside Walkers Lane in the town and a man was arrested.

He is being held on suspicion of attempted murder and a number of driving offences.

Bill Manwaring Millise road with police tape, there are a number of dark cars parked, and a yellow blue and white police car. Several police officers in neon yellow jackets are visible in the distance. Bill Manwaring
Main Street in Millisle was closed for a number of hours on Sunday

Millisle incident 'appalling and distressing'

Connie Egan, an Alliance party Northern Ireland Assembly member for the North Down area, said the incident was callous and shocking.

"We can only be grateful no one was killed," she added.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member for the area, Stephen Dunne, said it was an "appalling and distressing event for everyone involved".

He said his "thoughts are very much with the injured individuals and their families".

A man looks into the camera. He has a neutral expression. He is bald. He is wearing a white shirt with a blue pattern. In the background, which is blurred, we can see buildings lining a street. There is police tape across the road. It is a sunny day.
Pete Wray, a UUP councillor, said it had been a "positive evening" in Millisle before the incident

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) councillor for the Ards Peninsula, Pete Wray, said what happened was "very out of the ordinary" for the area.

He told BBC News NI there was a parade and music in the town earlier in the day and it was a "really positive evening for everybody".

He added it was understood there was an altercation in the village prior to the incident.

Det Insp Oonagh Ryan, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), said enquiries are at an early stage.

"We are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time, who witnessed the incident, or anyone with dashcam or doorbell footage, to contact detectives," she added.

Main Street in Millisle was closed for a number of hours on Sunday but has since reopened.