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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, including two pizza delivery men, were also injured when gunmen struck at Massereene army base in County Antrim on Saturday night.Four other people, including two pizza delivery men, were also injured when gunmen struck at Massereene army base in County Antrim 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.The soldiers are the first to be murdered in Northern Ireland since Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was killed by an IRA sniper in 1997.
The dead men, both in their early 20s were due to fly to Afghanistan in the coming days.The dead men, both in their early 20s were due to fly to Afghanistan in the coming days.
Gordon Brown: "The whole country is shocked and outraged"Gordon Brown: "The whole country is shocked and outraged"
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.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."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.""No murderer will be able to derail a peace process that has the support of the great majority of Northern Ireland."
PizzaPizza
All four injured men are being treated at Antrim Area Hospital, about a mile away from the scene.All four injured men are being treated at Antrim Area Hospital, about a mile away from the scene.
Of those who were injured, one person is critical, two are in a serious condition and another is serious but stable.Of those who were injured, one person is critical, two are in a serious condition and another is serious but stable.
Chief superintendent Derek Williamson said at about 2120 GMT on Saturday night a pizza delivery service sent two delivery men to the Antrim barracks. As they arrived, shots began to be fired from a car.Chief superintendent Derek Williamson said at about 2120 GMT on Saturday night a pizza delivery service sent two delivery men to the Antrim barracks. As they arrived, shots began to be fired from a car.
He said the pizza delivery men were an innocent party and both were among those injured.He said the pizza delivery men were an innocent party and both were among those injured.
After two gunmen with automatic rifles fired an initial volley of shots, which left those under attack lying on the ground, they moved forward and opened fire again.After two gunmen with automatic rifles fired an initial volley of shots, which left those under attack lying on the ground, they moved forward and opened fire again.
Martin McGuinness: "No chance of bringing the peace process down"Martin McGuinness: "No chance of bringing the peace process down"
He said: "There's no doubt whatsoever in my mind that this was an attempt at mass murder."He said: "There's no doubt whatsoever in my mind that this was an attempt at mass murder."
The area surrounding the barracks, which is home to 38 Engineer Regiment, has been sealed off.The area surrounding the barracks, which is home to 38 Engineer Regiment, has been sealed off.
The delivery drivers bullet-riddled cars are still at the scene.The delivery drivers bullet-riddled cars are still at the scene.
Police are examining a car in Randalstown, five miles from the army base, which they suspect may have been used by the gunmen.Police are examining a car in Randalstown, five miles from the army base, which they suspect may have been used by the gunmen.
NI's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a former IRA member, said nobody should say or do anything which would see Northern Ireland to its troubles.NI's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a former IRA member, said nobody should say or do anything which would see Northern Ireland to its troubles.
"I supported the IRA during the conflict, I myself was a member of the IRA but that war is over," said the Sinn Fein MP."I supported the IRA during the conflict, I myself was a member of the IRA but that war is over," said the Sinn Fein MP.
"Now the people responsible for that last night's incident are clearly signalling that they want to resume or restart that war.""Now the people responsible for that last night's incident are clearly signalling that they want to resume or restart that war."
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams described the shooting as an attack on the "peace process" and said it was "wrong and counter-productive".Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams described the shooting as an attack on the "peace process" and said it was "wrong and counter-productive".
HOW THE ATTACKS HAPPENED 1. Soldiers order pizza from delivery shop in Antrim. Two cars leave shop at about 2120 GMT2. Four soldiers collect pizza from main gate at Massereene Barracks. As they do, two gunmen open fire from a nearby car. Two soldiers are killed, four people seriously injured including the pizza delivery men3. Vauxhall Cavalier which police believe the gunmen to have used recovered in Ranaghan Lane, nr Randalstown How the barracks attack happenedHOW THE ATTACKS HAPPENED 1. Soldiers order pizza from delivery shop in Antrim. Two cars leave shop at about 2120 GMT2. Four soldiers collect pizza from main gate at Massereene Barracks. As they do, two gunmen open fire from a nearby car. Two soldiers are killed, four people seriously injured including the pizza delivery men3. Vauxhall Cavalier which police believe the gunmen to have used recovered in Ranaghan Lane, nr Randalstown How the barracks attack happened
"Those responsible have no support, no strategy to achieve a United Ireland," he said."Those responsible have no support, no strategy to achieve a United Ireland," he said.
"Their intention is to bring British soldiers back onto the streets. They want to destroy the progress of recent times and to plunge Ireland back into conflict.""Their intention is to bring British soldiers back onto the streets. They want to destroy the progress of recent times and to plunge Ireland back into conflict."
Northern Ireland's First Minister and Democratic Unionist Party leader Peter Robinson offered his sympathies to the families of the victims, and said he and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness 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 and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness would postpone a scheduled trip to the United States.
Mr Robinson said the attack was a "terrible reminder of the events of the past".Mr Robinson said the attack was a "terrible reminder of the events of the past".
He said information that those responsible had "deliberately turned their weapons on civilians" after murdering the soldiers gave an "idea of the crazed gunmen involved in this".He said information that those responsible had "deliberately turned their weapons on civilians" after murdering the soldiers gave an "idea of the crazed gunmen involved in this".
"It is the duty of everyone to ensure these people are defeated," he said."It is the duty of everyone to ensure these people are defeated," he said.
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".
SOLDIERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND More than 500 soldiers have been killed during the conflictLast solider killed was Stephen Restorick, shot by the IRA in 1997At height of conflict 27,000 soldiers were in Northern IrelandThere are now about 5,000 soldiers in Northern Ireland class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAY N Ireland is a peace loving country, we have moved way beyond conflict. This heinous act deserves the full condemnation of all Tony, N Ireland class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6172&edition=1&ttl=20090308150736">Send us your comments
The Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable, Sir Hugh Orde said there was no intention to introduce more army special forces following the shooting.The Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable, Sir Hugh Orde said there was no intention to introduce more army special forces following the shooting.
He said he did not believe there was any connection between the shooting and the announcement that army surveillance teams had been brought in to Northern Ireland.He said he did not believe there was any connection between the shooting and the announcement that army surveillance teams had been brought in to Northern Ireland.
He said people should remember that not only had the gunmen killed members of the military but that they had also tried to kill a number of civilians.He said people should remember that not only had the gunmen killed members of the military but that they had also tried to kill a number of civilians.
Loyalist political representatives made a plea to people within their communities not to retaliate.Loyalist political representatives made a plea to people within their communities not to retaliate.
Frankie Gallagher, from the Ulster Political Research Group, which has links with the paramilitary UDA, said: "The people who carried out this attack have no mandate for their futile actions.Frankie Gallagher, from the Ulster Political Research Group, which has links with the paramilitary UDA, said: "The people who carried out this attack have no mandate for their futile actions.
"Their communities, the Irish nationalist and republican communities in Northern Ireland, must let them know that loud and clear.""Their communities, the Irish nationalist and republican communities in Northern Ireland, must let them know that loud and clear."
Are you near the Massereene barracks? Did you witness or hear the shootings? What does this mean for peace in Northern Ireland? Send us your comments and experiences below.Are you near the Massereene barracks? Did you witness or hear the shootings? What does this mean for peace in Northern Ireland? Send us your comments and experiences below.
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