THE man believed to have been the target of last night’s bomb attack has hit out at claims dissident republicans were responsible.

Christopher Tarr, who was in his home in Carrickreagh Gardens in Derry’s Creggan estate at the time of the blast, escaped uninjured when a bomb exploded in his car which was parked in the driveway close to the front door.

Two other people in the house at the time also escaped injury.

Mr Tarr’s silver Vauxhall Vectra was badly damaged in the explosion which occurred at around 10.45pm.

Mr Tarr told the BBC he did not know why he had been targeted and hit out at politicians who blamed dissident republicans.

He also called on those who carried out the attack to come forward and give the reason and said he was not considering leaving the area.

Tommy McCourt, of the Rosemount Resource Centre, said it appeared the attack looked “more like a criminal issue.”

He added he was convinced there was no paramilitary organisation involved in the attack.