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PM Brown in terror summit in wake of RIRA double murder at Massereene
Brown visits base where soldiers were killed before holding crisis security talks
Monday, 9 March 2009
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Gordon Brown flew into Northern Ireland today for crisis talks with security and political chiefs amid widening public disgust over the Massereene Army base murders.
Mr Brown arrived at the base where on Saturday night two soldiers were assassinated by Real IRA gunmen and another four men, including two pizza delivery men, were seriously injured.
They were today named as Sapper Mark Quinsey (23), from Birmingham, and Sapper Cengiz Azimkar (21), from Wood Green, north London, both of 38 Engineer Regiment. They were killed outside the barracks in Antrim on Saturday night, hours before they were due to fly to Afghanistan.
Two other servicemen and two pizza deliverymen — one named as 19-year-old local Anthony Watson and the other a 32-year-old Polish man — were seriously injured in the attack which sent shockwaves through the province’s peace process.
The dead soldiers from 38 Engineer Regiment were wearing desert fatigues and taking delivery of pizzas before leaving for Afghanistan. They will be named today.
At one stage the killers stood over their victims and fired a second volley. Security chiefs believe the gunmen were prepared to murder all six in front of the main gates of the barracks.
The Real IRA, which last night claimed responsibility and branded the pizza deliverymen as British “collaborators”, is the same organisation that killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, in the bombing of Omagh in August 1998. A massive manhunt for the killers was under way today.
The Prime Minister arrived just after eight this morning amid tight security. Along with Secretary of State Shaun Woodward, he was due to meet the Chief Constable, senior Army personnel and political leaders to deliver the message that the peace process would not be derailed by the weekend attacks.
Mr Woodward said: “This is really a moment where we have to decide how we secure our future. If people come forward, there's no question ... people will go to jail for a very long time.”
Mr Brown was to hold talks with Mr Woodward and security minister Paul Goggins throughout the day about Saturday night’s attack and also to discuss security at Army bases with Brigadier George Norton — the most senior soldier in the Northern Ireland.
It is believed that security at Army stations across the province has been stepped up following the murders.
The Prime Minister branded the attack “evil”, and said no murder would derail the peace process.
“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,” he said yesterday
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has warned the people of Northern Ireland to be vigilant with the threat of further dissident republican attacks heightened. Sir Hugh is set to meet Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy on Thursday to discuss cross-border strategies to tackle the dissidents.
Sir Hugh said Saturday night’s shooting was a “brutal and cowardly attack” and appealed for anyone “who knows where these cowards are holed up to come forward so that Northern Ireland can move on in the way it is determined to do.”
Sinn Fein joined other parties in calling for the culprits’ arrest after Saturday’s shooting,.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a former IRA leader in Londonderry, demanded the dissidents call off their campaign.
He said: “I was a member of the IRA, but that war is over now.”
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams added that the perpetrators had no support and he urged party members to help the police investigation.
The MP said: “(The) attack was an attack on the peace process. It was wrong and counter-productive.”
The Real IRA “South Antrim Unit” claimed responsibility in a phone call to the Sunday Tribune newspaper in Dublin.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen insisted the killings would not disrupt the peace process.
However, the Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Mr McGuinness have delayed a planned visit to the United States which was due to end next Tuesday with a St Patrick’s Day meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House.
Police are examining a Vauxhall Cavalier they believe may have been used by the gunmen.The vehicle was abandoned in the Ranaghan Lane area of nearby Randalstown late on Saturday.
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Comments
143 Comments
why are we given these scum any sort of publicity they don't deserve it they depend on any sort of publicity to survive,without it they will only shrivel up and disappear.
god bless the soldiers and the police officer that have been taken before their time
Posted by eddie | 13.03.09, 10:45 GMT
It is time to bring back the rope, to discourage acts like this in the future. Then there will be some justice for the victims , both living and the deceased.
Posted by David | 11.03.09, 01:11 GMT
sophie dont be ridiculous, maybe you should see the reaction to the policeman being shot, who in your view is irish. wise up- get back in the real world.
Posted by neill | 10.03.09, 16:15 GMT
I got this email this morning. tell everyone you know and lets show some solidarity against these murderers.
Join a silent protest at the Massereene murders
The Trade Unions stand together with all citizens in solidarity to prevent any derailment of the peace process. The callous attack last Saturday night was an assault on every citizen who supports peace. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is inviting all workers and their families to express their abhorrence at these murders and the direct threat to the peace process at a number of silent protests at 1.00pm on Wednesday, 11 March 2009 at Belfast City Hall, Guildhall Square, Derry, and Newry Town Hall.
Posted by Michael | 10.03.09, 12:44 GMT
I am from burnley England and I am coming to Belfast for a stag party in a couple of weeks, it would be easy to call it off and cancel, but what message would that send to the people who want to derail the peace process? I want to, and am going to show my personal support by coming to Belfast and putting my tourist money into the belfast economy, catholic or protestant, it doesn't make a difference to me, we are all human, and I know most of the northern Irish people are sick and fed up of this problem, the guy who wrote earlier had it right, outside of northern Ireland, it does not matter what religion you are, it's time someone popped the bubble of the small minded, small world attitude of these cowards, I say cowards because real men stand and fight toe to toe, not shooting someone in a surprise attack, northern Ireland, please keep your nerve, for your future, good luck.
Posted by Michael | 10.03.09, 11:47 GMT
A very interesting read through the comments confirms all the reasons why I no longer live in my home country. For all the doubtless sincere expressions of sympathy and outrage there is a high proportion of comments that seek to justify, contextualise or simply point-score on this tragedy. "what about the oppression!" "Gerry knows who did it" "the six counties!" "Ulster!" etc.
You're all fooling no-one, Stormont executive or not. Nothing was ever done to address the root causes of the bigotry - and nothing ever will because you all revel in it too much.
The rest of the British Isles moved on from this in 1994 - when it stopped affecting them and scarcely anyone in Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland or anywhere cares one jot, even now.
People of the six counties; please try and join the 20th century sometime soon - and if you get comfortable with modernity, try the 21st....
Posted by ADC | 10.03.09, 11:43 GMT
In respect of the soldier who shielded the delivery man I hope that moves are underway by now to have the brave soldier awarded a medal for bravery. The only one suitable for such an act of unselfish bravery in the face of such extreme danger would be the award of the George Cross.
The bravery shown by him is in stark contrast to that of the scumbags who hid in the shadows.
Posted by Colin | 10.03.09, 11:07 GMT
how many people got butchered in Iraq and Afghanistan? the British army likes dishing it out
Posted by Greg | 10.03.09, 07:19 GMT
two young soldiers cut down while paying for pizza. two guys delivering the pizzas to the soldiers wounded. i hope the pizza delivery guys recover from their wounds. may god bless the souls of the young soldiers and i hope that the fools who pulled those triggers will have their souls dammed for all eternity. if tom barry could see this he would roll over in his grave. you fools you god damn bloody fools.
Posted by Randy | 10.03.09, 03:51 GMT
Shame on You Gerry Adams and Martin Maginnis. Our thoughts and Prayers are with all the Families
Posted by expat | 09.03.09, 22:41 GMT
This terrable act of murder must be condemed by everyone. This terrable act was carried out by fanatics who do not have any support in the nationalist community or any right minded person. I can only send my deepest synpathy to their families and hope tht these renagades will be caught sooner rather than later.
A very sad falls road man.
Posted by joe | 09.03.09, 21:07 GMT
Hollow words from Gordon Brown considering the success in bringing people to justice for the Omagh bombings. They must be quaking in their boots!
Posted by kevin | 09.03.09, 21:06 GMT
Shame on the RIRA yet again for these latest despcicable murders. It is time that the so called Real-IRA grew up and got real. Terrorism is immature bullying because the IRA cannot win at the ballot box. The organisers of this attrocity bring deep shame on the whole island of Ireland and are totally disowned by all real Pats and ex-Pats. They are a total embarrasment to us as Europeans.
Posted by Ex-pat | 09.03.09, 21:03 GMT
Wow...there really are some freaking idiots out there. The people who did this, it's a shame that they probably wont get more than a few years.
Posted by CoreyH | 09.03.09, 20:48 GMT
Derry Lad - We can all look back in time and find something that the "other side" did wrong , but it does not justify anyone else's actions. No-one forces another human being to pick up a gun and take another life.
Can the shooting of two innocent people delivering pizzas be justified? I doubt it!
I just hope that they are caught, put through the courts and locked up for the rest of their lives.
God bless the families of the murdered, and the injured.
Posted by Rab | 09.03.09, 20:46 GMT
what about SF finding out who these are and hand them over afterall these cowards were part of the ira or do they think the people are stupid, the ira were a close knit body but the top men of each unit knew thier foot soldiers surely its not too hard to work and find out who they are
Posted by William | 09.03.09, 20:38 GMT
What hypocrisy from nationalists and republicans. These murderers are the brothers, cousins, and sons of SF/IRA members whose kidnap/torture victims are lying in unmarked graves. Whats the difference between these people and those in Stormont who have widespread support.
Posted by brian | 09.03.09, 20:24 GMT
This is an utter shock! I was born in the States, but most of my family still lives near Castlewellan. These criminals need to be brought to justice-and if you could hang them publicly-maybe some kid who is looking for a cause to join might think twice before joining these fringe elements. I will have quite a time convincing my American wife it is safe to bring my 3 year old daughter home this summer.
Posted by Richard | 09.03.09, 19:10 GMT
These may be the same animals that were responsible for the Omagh atrocity. These cowards must be hunted down and caught this time.
Posted by Tony | 09.03.09, 19:07 GMT
Why do they insist on calling these murderers gunmen. They are not men in any sense of the word. . Only cowards. Certainly not heroes for their cause, wont be any fables written about them. Shame on you. Deepest sympathy to the families of the bereaved
Posted by Wendy R | 09.03.09, 19:01 GMT
143 Comments