PSNI officer seriously injured by Antrim car bomb

A police officer was seriously injured when a bomb exploded under his car in the North today.

He had just driven off on his way along Milltown Road in Randalstown, Co Antrim, when the device went off.

Police said the officer was in a serious condition in Antrim Area Hospital.

Army bomb disposal experts were called to the scene.

The attack happened just miles from Antrim town, where last March Sappers Mark Quinsey, 23, and Patrick Azimkar, 21, were shot dead by the Real IRA at the gates of Massereene Army barracks.

Assembly member for the area and Alliance party leader David Ford said he was outraged at the attack.

"The people behind this bomb have no policy and strategy except to cause death and disruption," he said.

"It is absolutely despicable that someone who works to protect the public has been subject to such a sickening attack on his life.

"I am outraged that a very small number of people still believe that using violence will achieve anything. They are seeking to drag us backwards into the dark days of the troubles.

"The community will need to stand united, just as the community stood united following the murders (of two British soldiers) nearby at Massereene barracks last year. I am confident that the community will do so.

"I would urge anybody who has any information about this attack to contact the police. These people must be stopped to allow this country to continue to live in peace."

Democratic Unionist MP for South Antrim William McCrea said he understood that the injured officer was a Catholic.

"I earnestly pray he will be restored to health and strength," he said.

The chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Barry Gilligan, condemned those responsible.

"I understand that the officer has been taken to hospital and our thoughts are first and foremost with him and his family," he said.

"This was an attempt to murder and those behind this attack cannot be allowed to succeed in bringing any further terror to our community.

"I would urge anyone with information on this incident to pass it to the police."

Northern Ireland Security Minister Paul Goggins condemned the bombing.

"This vile attack will sicken people across Northern Ireland," he said.

"I applaud the work the PSNI are doing to make our towns and cities safer. That work is in stark contrast to those who tried to murder this officer.

"Those who planted this device are to be condemned and anyone with information should bring it to the PSNI so that those responsible can be brought before the courts."

Sinn Féin's Mitchel McLaughlin said the attack was reprehensible.

"First of all, I wish to extend my hope for a full and speedy recovery to this young PSNI officer and his family," he said.

"I unambiguously condemn those responsible for placing this device on the officer's car and call on them to desist from this activity."

Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kinahan said: "Unfortunately, we are here again - standing at the scene of a murder attempt on a member of the PSNI. A man has been seriously injured and the community traumatised by the proximity of this attack.

"It is disgusting that, once again, we are witness to an attack on an off-duty officer.

"Each and every time an incident of this nature occurs, we are taken back to the dark days of the past.

"However, while those who carried out this despicable act are intent on undermining the stability of Northern Ireland, majority will clearly indicates that it is they, and not the police, who are unwanted within this society."

SDLP South Antrim Assembly member Thomas Burns added to the voices of condemnation.

"The scene of this attack is not all that far from Massereene Barracks.

"At the time of last year's attacks, all the people of the North made their views absolutely clear. Across all parties and shadows of opinion, they condemned them utterly and called on the armed dissident groups to stop their murderous activities.

"We want no more murders, no more shootings, no more bombs."