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Policeman hurt in car bomb blast | Policeman hurt in car bomb blast |
(21 minutes later) | |
A police officer is undergoing surgery after he was seriously injured in a dissident republican car bomb attack in Randalstown, County Antrim. | A police officer is undergoing surgery after he was seriously injured in a dissident republican car bomb attack in Randalstown, County Antrim. |
The 33-year-old Catholic officer is in "a very serious condition" in hospital according to PSNI spokesman, Detective Chief Superintendent Derek Williamson. | The 33-year-old Catholic officer is in "a very serious condition" in hospital according to PSNI spokesman, Detective Chief Superintendent Derek Williamson. |
He said the policeman, who was caught in the blast on the Milltown Road at 0630 GMT, was a "highly regarded" officer who had served for 10 years. | He said the policeman, who was caught in the blast on the Milltown Road at 0630 GMT, was a "highly regarded" officer who had served for 10 years. |
The police and army are at the scene. | The police and army are at the scene. |
'Atrocious act' | 'Atrocious act' |
Detective Chief Superintendent Williamson told the media that dissident republicans were responsible for the bombing but it was too early to say which group was behind the attack. | Detective Chief Superintendent Williamson told the media that dissident republicans were responsible for the bombing but it was too early to say which group was behind the attack. |
The man injured today in this attack contributes positively to the community. He is an active member of the GAA and an Irish speaker. He serves the community as a member of the PSNI. The people who carried out this attack make no contribution. These actions serve no purpose and will not further any cause. Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness | The man injured today in this attack contributes positively to the community. He is an active member of the GAA and an Irish speaker. He serves the community as a member of the PSNI. The people who carried out this attack make no contribution. These actions serve no purpose and will not further any cause. Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness |
He described it as an "atrocious act of terrorism carried out by cowardly thugs". | 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. | 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. | |
Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers issued a joint statement condemning the attack. | Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers issued a joint statement condemning the attack. |
First Minister Peter Robinson said is was a "cowardly evil act against a man committed to defending the free society we all enjoy". | First Minister 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. | "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. |
'Murder attempt' | 'Murder attempt' |
Detective Chief Superintendent Derek Williamson described the bomb as a 'cowardly terrorist attack' | Detective Chief Superintendent Derek Williamson described the bomb as a 'cowardly terrorist attack' |
The Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the injured police officer 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 Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the injured police officer 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. |
"These actions serve no purpose and will not further any cause," he said. | "These actions serve no purpose and will not further any cause," he said. |
The chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Barry Gilligan, said the bombing was "an attempt to murder". | The chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, 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. | He added that those who carried it out "cannot be allowed to succeed in bringing any further terror" to the community. |
Northern Ireland Security Minister Paul Goggins described it as a "vile attack" which would "sicken people". | Northern Ireland Security Minister Paul Goggins described it as a "vile attack" which would "sicken people". |
'Appalled' | 'Appalled' |
SDLP Policing Spokesperson Alex Attwood expressed his "sincere sympathy to the injured young officer" and said that no ground must be conceded to dissidents. | SDLP Policing Spokesperson Alex Attwood expressed his "sincere sympathy to the injured young officer" and said that no ground must be conceded to dissidents. |
The Alliance leader, David Ford, said he was "appalled at this murderous attack" and added that the bombers were "seeking to drag us backwards into the dark days of the Troubles". | The Alliance leader, David Ford, said he was "appalled at this murderous attack" and added that the bombers were "seeking to drag us backwards into the dark days of the Troubles". |
Ulster Unionist South Antrim MLA Danny Kinahan said that while those who carried out the bombing were "intent on undermining the stability of Northern Ireland", the community would reject the "sick acts and beliefs" of terrorists. | Ulster Unionist South Antrim MLA Danny Kinahan said that while those who carried out the bombing were "intent on undermining the stability of Northern Ireland", the community would reject the "sick acts and beliefs" of terrorists. |
Dissident republicans have been responsible for a spate of bomb attacks across Northern Ireland in the last year. | Dissident republicans have been responsible for a spate of bomb attacks across Northern Ireland in the last year. |
In October, a dissident group planted a bomb under a policeman's car in east Belfast. | In October, a dissident group planted a bomb under a policeman's car in east Belfast. |
His partner suffered minor injuries in the attack. | His partner suffered minor injuries in the attack. |