PSNI Officer Seriously injured in Bomb Blast

A member of the RUC/PSNI is undergoing surgery after he was seriously injured in a Republican car bomb attack in Randalstown, County Antrim.

The 33-year-old Catholic officer is in "a very serious condition" in hospital according to RUC/PSNI spokesman, Derek Williamson.

He said the British policeman, who was caught in the blast on the Milltown Road at 0630 GMT on friday last, was a "highly regarded" officer who had served for 10 years.

The RUC and British army are at the scene.


Williamson told the media that Republicans were responsible for the bombing but it was too early to say which group was behind the attack.

He is an active member of the GAA and an Irish speaker.

British Crown Minister Martin McGuinness
He described it as an "atrocious act of terrorism carried out by cowardly thugs".

He said the recently married officer was targeted while he made his way to Woodbourne police station in west Belfast.

It is believed the victim had driven about a mile from his home when the bomb exploded and was found breathing and conscious but bleeding heavily.

British Ministers in the occupied six counties issued a joint statement condemning the attack.

Peter Robinson said is was a "cowardly evil act against a man committed to defending the free society we all enjoy".

"I have said in the past that those who perpetrate such attacks will not succeed in returning Northern Ireland to the dark days of the past. I remain steadfastly committed to upholding that promise," he added.




RUC spokesperson Derek Williamson described the bomb as a 'cowardly terrorist attack'
Provo Crown Minister Martin McGuinness said the injured RUC man was an Irish language speaker and an "active member" of the Gaelic Athletic Association, an organisation which promotes Irish sports on both sides of the Irish border.


The chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board and property tycoon Barry Gilligan, said the bombing was "an attempt to murder".

He added that those who carried it out "cannot be allowed to succeed in bringing any further terror" to the community.

Another English Crown Minister Paul Goggins described it as a "vile attack" which would "sicken people".


Republicans have been responsible for a spate of bomb attacks across the occupied six counties in the last year.

In October, the IRA planted a bomb under a policeman's car in east Belfast.

His partner suffered minor injuries in the attack.