The Police Ombudsman has found that police were justified in discharging three impact rounds at a man who pointed a "handgun" at them in the Dundonald area of Belfast in November 2008.

Police attended a house after receiving a call from a man who said he had illegal weapons and was planning to kill his wife when she returned home.

Three police Armed Response Vehicles and seven specialist firearms officers were sent to the scene. As they were taking up position around the front of the house, a man walked into the garden.

He was immediately challenged by officers as he appeared to be hiding something behind his back. The man then raised his arm and pointed a handgun towards a number of the officers.

Three Attenuated Energy Projectile impact rounds (AEPs) were then discharged at the man in quick succession, each fired by a different officer. The first missed its target, a second struck the man but did not immobilise him, the third also hit him. Officers were then able to move in and restrain and disarm him.

When later interviewed by police the man said his intention had been to create a situation in which police would have been required to shoot him. It was also established after the incident that the firearm used by the man had in fact been a replica weapon.

The Police Ombudsman was informed about the incident by police and, as is normal procedure following all police firearm discharges, launched an immediate investigation.

Investigators examined the scene, obtained statements from civilian and police witnesses, examined police firearms, training and other records, and conducted house-to-house enquiries in the area.

Having assessed the evidence, the Police Ombudsman Mr Al Hutchinson, concluded that the use of AEPs "was legal, proportionate, justified and necessary given the very real and immediate threat faced by officers."