Bomb Kills Northern Ireland Policeman

Dublin - A booby-trap bomb exploded in the car of a policeman who had just joined the Northern Ireland's force. While no one has claimed responsibility, the police and politicians blame the IRA (Irish Republican Army) for the actions against the 25 year-old, Catholic policeman.

Ronan Kerr, the Catholic policeman, died in a fire that ignited the car. Neighbors tried to douse the flames but were unable to save the young officer. IRA dissidents committed the deadliest single bombing of the entire Northern Ireland conflict in Omagh on Aug. 15, 1998. In that incident a car bomb detonated in a crowded shopping center, twenty-nine were killed.

The IRA has been responsible for such actions in the past. There have been repeated cases of booby-trap bombs found underneath private cars of off-duty officers. Generally, the cases have targeted new Catholic recruits. Until today, no one has died as a result of the rigged bombs. Two officers were maimed in the past two years.

IRA dissidents have continued to stress dissatisfication for any Catholic who joined the Northern Ireland police force. The once-Protestant-dominated force has been growing in Catholic recruits. Part of the peace progression between Ireland and Northern Ireland has been enlisting Catholic officers in the north.

"Those who carried out this wicked and cowardly crime will never succeed in dragging Northern Ireland back to a dark and bloody past;" stated British Prime Minister David Cameron. Both Catholic and Protestant leaders condemned the bombers, vowing to bring them to justice.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also denounced the actions of those that took the life of the Catholic police officer. "The perpetrators of this cowardly act represent the failures of the past, and their actions run counter to the achievements, aspirations, and collective will of the people of Northern Ireland."