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Dissidents blamed for car attack Dissidents blamed for car attack
(about 1 hour later)
Dissident republicans have been blamed for a booby-trap car bomb attack on an off-duty police officer.Dissident republicans have been blamed for a booby-trap car bomb attack on an off-duty police officer.
The officer, a Catholic, sustained serious leg injuries in the attack on Monday near Castlederg, County Tyrone.The officer, a Catholic, sustained serious leg injuries in the attack on Monday near Castlederg, County Tyrone.
PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said off-duty officers were being targeted because that was when they were at their "most vulnerable".PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said off-duty officers were being targeted because that was when they were at their "most vulnerable".
He said that dissidents knew they were "in their endgame" and were desperately "lashing out".He said that dissidents knew they were "in their endgame" and were desperately "lashing out".
The explosion happened at Drumnaby Road in Spamount village, outside Castlederg, at about 2130 BST.The explosion happened at Drumnaby Road in Spamount village, outside Castlederg, at about 2130 BST.
"They have not defeated the police service for the last 38 years, if they seriously think this sort of event will defeat the Police Service of Northern Ireland they are badly mistaken - I think the communities and the police together can solve this crime," Sir Hugh added."They have not defeated the police service for the last 38 years, if they seriously think this sort of event will defeat the Police Service of Northern Ireland they are badly mistaken - I think the communities and the police together can solve this crime," Sir Hugh added.
Forensic teams are studying the damaged carForensic teams are studying the damaged car
The officer was rescued by a member of the public who dragged him from the wreckage of the car.The officer was rescued by a member of the public who dragged him from the wreckage of the car.
Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Minister condemned the attack.Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Minister condemned the attack.
Ian Paisley said it was an attack on democracy and that those behind it must be "brought to justice".Ian Paisley said it was an attack on democracy and that those behind it must be "brought to justice".
"My prayers and thoughts are with the policeman and his family at this very difficult time," he said."My prayers and thoughts are with the policeman and his family at this very difficult time," he said.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness appealed for anyone with information to assist the police.Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness appealed for anyone with information to assist the police.
"The elements within our society who perpetrated this act have nothing to offer, they are without mandate or strategy and represent no one," he said."The elements within our society who perpetrated this act have nothing to offer, they are without mandate or strategy and represent no one," he said.
The Sinn Féin MP for the area Pat Doherty described it as an "absolute outrage". The Sinn Fein MP for the area Pat Doherty described it as an "absolute outrage".
"We have moved on - there is no turning back to the old days," he said."We have moved on - there is no turning back to the old days," he said.
Police have been warning for some time that dissident groups have been trying to increase their activities and that they were actively targeting police officers.Police have been warning for some time that dissident groups have been trying to increase their activities and that they were actively targeting police officers.
In November, the Real IRA shot two officers in Londonderry and Dungannon, and in February police mounted a huge security operation across Northern Ireland because of fears that dissidents were planning another shooting or bombing.In November, the Real IRA shot two officers in Londonderry and Dungannon, and in February police mounted a huge security operation across Northern Ireland because of fears that dissidents were planning another shooting or bombing.