United in anger: Outrage across Ulster at car bomb murder of policeman, 25

Nuala Kerr, whose son Ronan, 25, died when a booby-trap bomb exploded as he got into his car in Omagh, Co Tyrone, also called on Catholics to continue to join the police force and asked for the public’s help to bring the bombers to justice. Her statement echoed calls from politicians who have said that the latest terrorist attack will not disrupt the peace process.

The grieving mother said: “This is at a time when we are striving for a neutral police force for the good of our country and I urge all Catholic members not to be deterred by this. We all need to stand up and be counted and to strive for equality. We don’t want to go back into the dark days again of fear and terror. We were so proud of Ronan and all that he stood for. Don’t let his death be in vain.”

Politicians from across the community have urged unity after the suspected dissident republican attack killed the new recruit as he went to work in Enniskillen. People in republican heartlands are “seething with anger” over the murder, according to Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams.

He called on society to “move beyond condemnation” to help end the violence, and to “come in behind the Kerr family”. However he warned it would be difficult to influence dissidents because they were a minority who had no support. Small numbers could continue to carry out attacks “for a very long time,” Mr Adams said.

Flowers were placed nearby as experts searched for clues. Just minutes away is a garden of remembrance for the 29 bomb victims of the Omagh bombing in 1998. The region’s police chief Matt Baggott said terrorists had “killed a peacemaker” in Pc Kerr.