Police in Northern Ireland said this evening an explosion at a Ministry of Defence training area near Derry which seriously injured a civilian was suspected to be the work of dissident republicans .
A civilian MOD employee is in a "critical" condition at a hospital in Coleraine, in northwest Ireland, the police and army said.
Police were examining a device found near a rear perimeter fence which exploded at the military training ground at Magilligan.
The 40-year-old MOD employee was injured in the stomach, lower body and arms when the device went off.
Supt Mervyn Hood said republican terrorists were suspected to be behind the attack, but refused to speculate which group could be responsible.
This was a "despicable, savage attack designed to kill," he said.
However, two years ago, a similar failed attack was attributed to the "Real IRA", a group opposed to the peace process.
The member of parliament for the area, Mr Gregory Campbell, said he believed the blast was the work of republican terrorists.
"It may not necessarily have been planted last night. This is very open territory and it could have been planted some time ago."
Mr Campbell, a member of the Democratic Unionist party, said the attack showed the utter futility of closing down army bases and dismantling watch towers when terrorists were continuing to operate in Northern Ireland.
"It's the latest in a long line of incidents in this area. We have to hope and pray that the person who has been injured fully recovers."
AFP