No compo for policeman who lost leg in bomb blast

The government in the North could face pressure from rank and file police officers after it emerged a colleague who lost a leg in a bomb attack has been unable to secure compensation.

Peadar Heffron suffered major injuries after a device planted by dissidents opposed to the peace process exploded under his car in Randalstown, Co Antrim, as he drove to work in Jan 2010.

The Police Federation, which represents members of the service, said it is to lobby Stormont after the officer unsuccessfully sought industrial injury compensation.

Federation chairman Terry Spence said: “What signal does this send out to officers in the PSNI, who put their lives at risk every day?”

Sources close to the case told The Detail website that the controversy centred on regulations which effectively query whether the officer was on duty at the time of the attack.

The 35-year-old is a Catholic officer who played Gaelic football for the police and operated as an Irish-language specialist for the service.