This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7931774.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 20 Version 21
Shot soldiers 'were magnificent' Shot soldiers 'were magnificent'
(10 minutes later)
Tributes have been paid to two soldiers shot dead by the Real IRA in County Antrim on Saturday night.Tributes have been paid to two soldiers shot dead by the Real IRA in County Antrim on Saturday night.
Sappers Mark Quinsey, 23, from Birmingham and Cengiz 'Patrick' Azimka, 21, from Wood Green, London were killed at Massereene Army base in Antrim. Sappers Mark Quinsey, 23, from Birmingham and Patrick Azimka, 21, from Wood Green, London were killed at Massereene Army base in Antrim.
The Army commander in Northern Ireland said they were "magnificent individuals". The Army commander in Northern Ireland said they were "magnificent".
Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited the base and met with NI political leaders on Monday. He said the peace process was "unshakeable".
"What I've seen this morning is the unity of the people of Northern Ireland, and the unity of the political parties," he said.
"That they are going to continue to work together and they want to send out a message to the world - as I do - that the political process will not and never be shaken.
"In fact, the political process is now unshakeable."
Brigadier George Norton said the men had been killed in a "callous and clinical" attack.Brigadier George Norton said the men had been killed in a "callous and clinical" attack.
Four other people, including two pizza delivery men - one of whom is 19 and the other a Polish man in his 30s - were injured in Saturday's attack.Four other people, including two pizza delivery men - one of whom is 19 and the other a Polish man in his 30s - were injured in Saturday's attack.
Three are in a serious condition and another is said to be serious but stable in hospital.Three are in a serious condition and another is said to be serious but stable in hospital.
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.
'Loathsome individuals''Loathsome individuals'
"They will not allow the actions of a few loathsome individuals to distract them from the job in hand," Brigadier Norton said."They will not allow the actions of a few loathsome individuals to distract them from the job in hand," Brigadier Norton said.
The Army commander was asked why no fire had been returned from the base during the attack.The Army commander was asked why no fire had been returned from the base during the attack.
"Are you suggesting that people should have fired into a closely packed group including my five soldiers," he said."Are you suggesting that people should have fired into a closely packed group including my five soldiers," he said.
"Both the guard service and the soldiers did everything that they could possibly do to save the lives of those who had been shot, including obviously the pizza delivery individuals, and I'm delighted by the way they responded but in no way surprised.""Both the guard service and the soldiers did everything that they could possibly do to save the lives of those who had been shot, including obviously the pizza delivery individuals, and I'm delighted by the way they responded but in no way surprised."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited the base on Monday.
He was accompanied by NI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the NI political process is 'unshakeable'Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the NI political process is 'unshakeable'
After his visit to Massareene, Mr Brown went to Stormont for talks with the leaders of the main parties about the weekend murders. Secretary of State Shaun Woodward is due to make a statement about the murders in Parliament later.
"What I've seen this morning is the unity of the people of Northern Ireland, and the unity of the political parties," he said.
"That they are going to continue to work together and they want to send out a message to the world - as I do - that the political process will not and never be shaken.
"In fact, the political process is now unshakeable."
Secretary of State Shaun Woodward is due to make a statement in Parliament later.
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.
'No support''No support'
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.
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 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."
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.