A British soldier has been questioned about an alleged assault in the Ulster Hospital's casualty department, it emerged today.
He was arrested after violence flared in the accident and emergency ward, leaving four nurses needing treatment for shock. Windows were also smashed after the patient was brought in early on Sunday morning.
A British army spokesman said today: "We can confirm that a soldier is helping police with their inquiries in connection with an incident at the Ulster Hospital."
It is understood the 39-year-old arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and assault was later released on bail.
Hospital management have pledged to review security after what they said was one of the worst incidents in the A&E department. Ambulances had to be diverted away from the Ulster for more than five hours while staff dealt with the disturbances.
Chief executive of the Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust Jim McCall praised workers for how they coped.