A PSNI officer whose car was blown up by dissident republicans was in a stable but critical condition yesterday.

Constable Peadar Heffron ?was seriously injured when a bomb exploded underneath his car about a mile from his Co Antrim home at 6.30am on Friday.

Heffron, a 33-year-old Irish language expert and captain of the police GAA team, has been in the force for 10 years.

He underwent surgery at Antrim hospital before being moved to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. His attack was condemned by chief constable Matt Baggott.

"My appeal to everyone is that you continue to support us in building peace and to not let this incident detract us all from that goal," he said.