A Catholic policeman who lost a leg during an attempted murder bid is out of intensive care and recovering well.

Constable Peadar Heffron has made astonishing progress following a dissident terror gang attack that left him fighting for his life.

The 33-year-old officer lost his right leg four days after a booby-trap car bomb detonated underneath his Alfa Romeo.

He had just left his Randalstown home and was on his way to work when it happened 44 days ago, on January 8.

It was weeks before he regained consciousness at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital with his wife of five months Fiona at his bedside.

PC Heffron, who was stationed at Woodbourne PSNI station prior to the attack, is said to be in relatively good spirits, notwithstanding the awful ordeal he had been through.

He has been moved out of Belfast’s Royal Hospital and is

undergoing intensive rehabilitation at another medical facility.

A PSNI spokeswoman today said the young policeman is still seriously ill, but in a stable condition.

Constable Heffron, an Irish speaker, was captain of the PSNI's Gaelic football team and has been in the force for nine years.

Oglaigh na hEireann, the dissident republican organisation, later admitted responsibility for the attack.

There have been arrests in relation to his attempted murder, but no-one has yet been charged.