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Soldiers 'saved lives' at base Shot soldiers 'were magnificent'
(10 minutes later)
The Army garrison commander of Northern Ireland has said the professionalism of soldiers at the scene of Saturday's murders in Antrim had saved lives. The two soldiers shot dead by the Real IRA in Northern Ireland at the weekend were Sappers Mark Quinsey and Cengiz 'Patrick' Azimka.
Brigadier George Norton met with Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Masserene Army base on Monday. Mark Quinsey was 23 years old and came from Birmingham. Cengiz 'Patrick' Azimkar was 21, from Wood Green, London.
The Army commander in Northern Ireland paid tribute to the soldiers.
Brigadier George Norton said the men were "magnificent" and their murders had shocked the entire community.
He met Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Massareene Army base on Monday.
"This has shocked the community and we are all grateful for the sympathies expressed from across NI," he said."This has shocked the community and we are all grateful for the sympathies expressed from across NI," he said.
One of the two soldiers killed was from the West Midlands, the other was from the London area.One of the two soldiers killed was from the West Midlands, the other was from the London area.
Four other people, including two pizza delivery men, one of whom is Polish, were injured in Saturday's attack.Four other people, including two pizza delivery men, one of whom is Polish, were injured in Saturday's attack.
Mr Brown was accompanied by NI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde on his visit to the base.Mr Brown was accompanied by NI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde on his visit to the base.
The two young soldiers were the first to be murdered in Northern Ireland in 12 years. Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was killed by an IRA sniper in 1997.The two young soldiers were the first to be murdered in Northern Ireland in 12 years. 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 hours after the attack.The dead men, both in their early 20s, were due to fly to Afghanistan in the hours after the attack.
The rest of 38 Engineer Regiment has now left the base and gone to Afghanistan.The rest of 38 Engineer Regiment has now left the base and gone to Afghanistan.
Of those who were injured, three are in a serious condition and another is said to be serious but stable in hospital.Of those who were injured, three are in a serious condition and another is said to be serious but stable in hospital.
Sir Hugh Orde: "We are determined to deliver a normal style of policing"Sir Hugh Orde: "We are determined to deliver a normal style of policing"
The two injured delivery drivers are a 19-year-old local man and a Polish man in his early 30s.The two injured delivery drivers are a 19-year-old local man and a Polish man in his early 30s.
After his visit to Massereene, Mr Brown went to Stormont for talks with the leaders of the main parties about the weekend murders.After his visit to Massereene, Mr Brown went to Stormont for talks with the leaders of the main parties about the weekend murders.
He is meeting the first and deputy first ministers followed by the main party leaders to discuss the political and security implications of the murders.He is meeting the first and deputy first ministers followed by the main party leaders to discuss the political and security implications of the murders.
Secretary of State Shaun Woodward is accompanying the prime minister at the talks. He is due to make a statement in Parliament later.Secretary of State Shaun Woodward is accompanying the prime minister at the talks. He is due to make a statement in Parliament later.
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the murders were "an attack on the peace process".Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the murders were "an attack on the peace process".
"It was wrong. It was counter-productive."It was wrong. It was counter-productive.
"My thoughts are with the families of the two men who were killed and who were injured," he said."My thoughts are with the families of the two men who were killed and who were injured," he said.
"And you might take some succour from the fact that whoever was involved, they have no support and no strategy and no popular will to back up their actions.""And you might take some succour from the fact that whoever was involved, they have no support and no strategy and no popular will to back up their actions."
The attack has forced a review of security at police and military bases in Northern Ireland.The attack has forced a review of security at police and military bases in Northern Ireland.
Whitehall officials say MI5 has been increasing its resources devoted to counter-terrorism in Northern Ireland.Whitehall officials say MI5 has been increasing its resources devoted to counter-terrorism in Northern Ireland.
Police have been examining a car in Randalstown, five miles from the army base, which they suspect may have been used by the gunmen.Police have been examining a car in Randalstown, five miles from the army base, which they suspect may have been used by the gunmen.
The Real IRA was born out of a split in the mainstream Provisional IRA in October 1997.The Real IRA was born out of a split in the mainstream Provisional IRA in October 1997.
It carried out Northern Ireland's worst atrocity when it bombed the County Tyrone town of Omagh, killing 29 people, in August 1998.It carried out Northern Ireland's worst atrocity when it bombed the County Tyrone town of Omagh, killing 29 people, in August 1998.
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 happenedSend us your commentsHOW 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 happenedSend us your comments
The chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has said he did not believe the attack was a response to him deploying special forces soldiers to gather intelligence on dissident activity.
He added he had no plans to deploy additional military personnel.
"The police deliver policing in Northern Ireland, and that is exactly how it is going to stay," he said."The police deliver policing in Northern Ireland, and that is exactly how it is going to stay," he said.
The partner of one of the injured men, who is Polish, and his 16-month-old son live in Antrim. Other members of his family are expected to fly into Northern Ireland today.The partner of one of the injured men, who is Polish, and his 16-month-old son live in Antrim. Other members of his family are expected to fly into Northern Ireland today.
Jerome Mullan, the honorary Polish consul in Northern Ireland, said: "He was just here earning a living and now he finds himself caught up in this shocking, disgraceful business."Jerome Mullan, the honorary Polish consul in Northern Ireland, said: "He was just here earning a living and now he finds himself caught up in this shocking, disgraceful business."
Martin McGuinness: "No chance of bringing the peace process down"Martin McGuinness: "No chance of bringing the peace process down"
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.