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Brown condemns N Ireland killings Brown condemns N Ireland killings
(20 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, on Saturday night.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.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.
'Shocked''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.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.
Police at the scene outside Massereene army base in AntrimPolice at the scene outside Massereene army base in Antrim
"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."
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".
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.
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.
'Loud bangs''Loud bangs'
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.
The attack is part of an attempt by dissident republicans to wreck the peace process and bring down the power-sharing Stormont Assembly Mark SimpsonIreland correspondent, BBC News Testing time for Northern IrelandAntrim shooting: Political reactionThe attack is part of an attempt by dissident republicans to wreck the peace process and bring down the power-sharing Stormont Assembly Mark SimpsonIreland correspondent, BBC News Testing time for Northern IrelandAntrim shooting: Political reaction
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.
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."
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.
The delivery drivers bullet-riddled cars are still at the scene.The delivery drivers bullet-riddled cars are still at the scene.
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.
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.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."
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 IrelandSOLDIERS 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
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 a "terrible reminder of the events of the past".
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.
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.
The leader of the nationalist SDLP, Mark Durkan, condemned the "murderous" attacks.
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.
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams described the shooting as an attack on the "peace process" and said it was "wrong and counter-productive".
"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."
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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