Dissident republicans are suspected of the murder attempt on a British army officer in Co Down this morning.
The officer was fortunate to escape when a booby trap device fell from his car as he left the driveway of his home in Bangor.
A week ago, in an Irish Times interview, a northern faction within the Continuity IRA claimed it had overthrown the leadership of the dissident republican organisation and threatened to step up its campaign.
Already this week there is evidence of an increased level of threat.
Yesterday, a home made bomb was placed outside the main PSNI station in Derry city.
This morning’s incident occurred in what would be regarded as non-republican territory in Bangor.
The Lisburn-based officer found the booby-trap device lying on his driveway after it fell off his vehicle.
He lives in the Chatworth estate in the town.
Houses in the area were evacuated when bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion.
