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A PSNI officer who survived the murderous exploits of lone wolf terrorist Christine Connor has revealed how they "feel very lucky to be alive".

Connor, who "had violent dissident republican ideologies", acted alone when she threw pipe bombs at two police officers she had lured to the Crumlin Road with a hoax 999 call on May 28, 2013.

The unemployed 31-year-old, however, had set up fake Facebook profile using pictures of a Swedish model to lure two men into helping her. Both later took their own lives.

Describing events of the night they and a colleague became her targets, a PSNI officer said: “My colleague and I had knocked at the door of the house where we believed a woman was being assaulted.

"I became suspicious when there was no response at the door and there were no lights on in the house. A recent, previous attack on police was also in the back of my mind and I turned away from the property to make further investigations.

"That was when I heard a noise behind me – which was the device landing at my heel.

"My adrenalin kicked in and I started running away but tripped and fell just as the first device exploded.

"I saw someone coming towards me and a second device hitting the ground near me.

"I got up and ran into an alleyway just as this device exploded. I remember the noise was deafening and there was a lot of smoke.

"At this stage my training kicked in and I drew my weapon to protect myself and the public, who were now coming out of their houses to see what was happening. My colleague and I advised them to go back inside for their own safety.

"If I wasn’t able to run away from the devices being thrown I would not be here today. I am very fortunate that me and my colleague did not suffer serious injuries.

"I will never forget that night, but it has made me more determined to do my job as a police officer and protect the public.”

Detective Superintendent Richard Campbell from the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch, said: “Northern Ireland is a safer place with Christine Connor behind bars.

"Today’s outcome is the result of excellent joint working between the PSNI and West Mercia Police alongside the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit.

"A vast amount of evidence has been obtained from the examination of mobile telephones, computers, media devices and online networking sites which evidenced the conspiracy between Christine Connor and Stuart Downes.

"Working together, we have disrupted the activity of a dangerous individual and put her behind bars.”

Connor, he added: "Planned this attack over quite a period of time and used a web of deceit and lies to enlist the help of Stuart Downes.

"Her deceitfulness knew no bounds and involved using a fictitious name and a profile picture that bore no resemblance to her when communicating online with Stuart Downes to plan this sickening attack on officers who were simply carrying out their core job of protecting their community."

Asked how many man hours went in to bringing Connor to justice, Detective Superintendent Campbell said the investigation - which spanned two continents, involved around 120 officers across England and Northern Ireland, as well as the FBI.

Connor, he said "had violent dissident republican ideologies" but police did not believe she was a member of any proscribed organisations.