Policeman critical after Ulster car bomb attack

The 33-year-old married constable was undergoing emergency surgery in hospital yesterday after the device detonated under his vehicle in Co Antrim as he drove to work.

The Irish-speaking officer, who is a Gaelic games enthusiast, was on his way to work in west Belfast when the bomb went off at about 6.30am about half a mile from his home in Milltown Road, near Randalstown.

Detective Chief Superintendent Derek Williamson branded the attackers "faceless cowardly thugs".

"They skulked under the cover of darkness to try and kill or injure this officer," he said.

"It's too early to know exactly who was responsible but it's likely to have been dissident republicans."

The car bomb went off just miles from Antrim town, where two British soldiers were murdered outside the Massereene barracks by the Real IRA last March.

Putting his current personal problems to one side, Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson joined Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness to condemn the attack.

Democratic Unionist Party leader Mr Robinson said: "This is 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. There is only one path forward – that of peace and democracy."

Sinn Fein representative Mr McGuinness added: "The man injured in this attack contributes positively to the community.

"He is an active member of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) and an Irish speaker. He serves the community as a member of the PSNI. The people who carried out this attack make no contribution."