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Brown condemns N Ireland killings Brown condemns N Ireland killings
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has condemned an attack on an army base in Northern Ireland which killed two soldiers.Gordon Brown has condemned an attack on an army base in Northern Ireland which killed two soldiers.
Four other people were also injured when gunmen struck at Massereene army base in County Antrim, 16 miles north of Belfast. Four other people were also injured when gunmen struck at Massereene army base in County Antrim, 16 miles north of Belfast, on Saturday night.
The Prime Minister described the attack as "evil" and said "no murderer" would derail the peace process. The prime minister described the attack as "evil" and said "no murderer" would derail the peace process.
No one has said they carried out the attack, but it is thought to be the work of dissident republicans.No one has said they carried out the attack, but it is thought to be the work of dissident republicans.
The soldiers are the first to be murdered in Northern Ireland since Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was killed by an IRA sniper in 1997.
'Shocked'
Mr Brown told the BBC: "I think the whole country is shocked and outraged at the evil and cowardly attacks on soldiers serving their country
"We will do everything in our power to make sure that Northern Ireland is safe and secure and I assure you we will bring these murderers to justice.
"No murderer will be able to derail a peace process that has the support of the great majority of Northern Ireland."
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward condemned the shootings as "an act of criminal barbarism".Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward condemned the shootings as "an act of criminal barbarism".
'Murderous attack'
Earlier reports suggested all those killed and injured were male. The MoD said the next of kin had been informed.Earlier reports suggested all those killed and injured were male. The MoD said the next of kin had been informed.
Mr Woodward added: "My thoughts are with the families of those killed and injured in this murderous attack.
"The contrast between those who serve the community and those who would destroy it could not be clearer. The people who did this will be pursued and they will never stop the political process in Northern Ireland."
The attack was being investigated by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the statement added.
The soldiers are the first to be murdered in Northern Ireland since Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was killed by an IRA sniper in 1997.
All four injured men have been taken to Antrim Area Hospital, about a mile away from the scene.All four injured men have been taken to Antrim Area Hospital, about a mile away from the scene.
One is said to be in critical condition, two in serious condition and one serious but stable. Of those who were injured, one person is critical, two are in serious condition and another is serious but stable.
A police spokesman said gunmen opened fire as a pizza delivery van pulled up to the army base, and two of the injured were pizza delivery men.
'Loud bangs''Loud bangs'
It is believed that there were two long bursts of gunfire during the incident.It is believed that there were two long bursts of gunfire during the incident.
A major security operation is under way and the area surrounding the barracks, which is home to 38 Engineering Regiment, has been sealed off.A major security operation is under way and the area surrounding the barracks, which is home to 38 Engineering Regiment, has been sealed off.
Eyewitness reports have suggested the victims were taking a pizza delivery when the shooting began.
One witness who lives near the base told the BBC how he looked to the sky after hearing what he thought were fireworks.One witness who lives near the base told the BBC how he looked to the sky after hearing what he thought were fireworks.
For the last 10 years, people believed things like this happened in foreign countries... Unfortunately it has returned to our doorstep Ian Paisley JuniorDemocratic Unionist Party Antrim shooting: Political reactionTesting time for Northern Ireland He added: "Then I heard a lot of loud bangs again, only it was a lot more than there was initially - maybe between 10 and 20.For the last 10 years, people believed things like this happened in foreign countries... Unfortunately it has returned to our doorstep Ian Paisley JuniorDemocratic Unionist Party Antrim shooting: Political reactionTesting time for Northern Ireland He added: "Then I heard a lot of loud bangs again, only it was a lot more than there was initially - maybe between 10 and 20.
"Then the siren at the Army barracks went off. Then all you heard was the police sirens and ambulances and there was at least six ambulances."Then the siren at the Army barracks went off. Then all you heard was the police sirens and ambulances and there was at least six ambulances.
"There was definitely six of the ambulances and God knows how many police cars - they just came out of the police station one after the other.""There was definitely six of the ambulances and God knows how many police cars - they just came out of the police station one after the other."
Northern Ireland's First Minister and Democratic Unionist Party leader Peter Robinson offered his sympathies to the families of the victims, and said he would postpone a scheduled trip to the United States.Northern Ireland's First Minister and Democratic Unionist Party leader Peter Robinson offered his sympathies to the families of the victims, and said he would postpone a scheduled trip to the United States.
Mr Robinson said the attack was "terrible reminder of the events of the past".Mr Robinson said the attack was "terrible reminder of the events of the past".
Rev Dr William McCrea at Massereene BarracksRev Dr William McCrea at Massereene Barracks
He added: "These murders were a futile act by those who command no public support and have no prospect of success in their campaign. It will not succeed."
David Ford, the leader of the Alliance Party, said it was "inconceivable" that the attack could have been carried out by anyone other than dissident republicans.David Ford, the leader of the Alliance Party, said it was "inconceivable" that the attack could have been carried out by anyone other than dissident republicans.
"The important thing is that we must not see politics and the peace settlement that we have, fragile though it is, destabilised by this kind of action," he added."The important thing is that we must not see politics and the peace settlement that we have, fragile though it is, destabilised by this kind of action," he added.
The attack comes shortly after Sir Hugh Orde, the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, requested the Special Reconnaissance Regiment's help to gather intelligence on dissident republicans.The attack comes shortly after Sir Hugh Orde, the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, requested the Special Reconnaissance Regiment's help to gather intelligence on dissident republicans.
Mr Robinson said the Massereene attack vindicated his decision, which had been criticised by Sinn Fein.Mr Robinson said the Massereene attack vindicated his decision, which had been criticised by Sinn Fein.
In 2008, dissident republicans attempted to kill PSNI officers during separate incidents in Derry City and Dungannon, Co Tyrone.In 2008, dissident republicans attempted to kill PSNI officers during separate incidents in Derry City and Dungannon, Co Tyrone.
Security forces defused a 300lb (136kg) bomb in Castlewellan, Co Down, close to a barracks in February 2009.Security forces defused a 300lb (136kg) bomb in Castlewellan, Co Down, close to a barracks in February 2009.
Ian Paisley Jnr, a DUP member of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Policing Board, said the shooting could prove to be a defining moment in Northern Ireland's history.Ian Paisley Jnr, a DUP member of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Policing Board, said the shooting could prove to be a defining moment in Northern Ireland's history.
He said: "For the last 10 years, people believed things like this happened in foreign countries, places like Basra. Unfortunately it has returned to our doorstep."He said: "For the last 10 years, people believed things like this happened in foreign countries, places like Basra. Unfortunately it has returned to our doorstep."
The leader of the nationalist SDLP, Mark Durkan, condemned the "murderous" attacks.The leader of the nationalist SDLP, Mark Durkan, condemned the "murderous" attacks.
"Those who committed it are steeped in the mindset and means of past violence," he added."Those who committed it are steeped in the mindset and means of past violence," he added.
"They need to understand this is not an attack on British army but the Irish people who have voted for and value above all else peaceful politics and democratic accommodation."
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