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Police hunt for 'Real IRA' gunmen PM visits barracks murder scene
(10 minutes later)
A search is under way for the gunmen who killed two soldiers at an army base in County Antrim on Saturday night. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is due to arrive in Northern Ireland to visit the army barracks where two soldiers were murdered by the Real IRA.
A Dublin-based newspaper received a call supposedly from the dissident republican group the Real IRA saying it carried out the Massereene shooting. Mr Brown will be accompanied by NI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde on his visit to the Massareene army base.
Four other people, including two pizza delivery men, were also injured when gunmen struck at the Antrim base. Four other people, including two pizza delivery men, one of whom is Polish, were injured when gunmen struck on Saturday night in Antrim.
Whitehall sources have told BBC News that a small number of dissident republicans pose a significant threat. The two young soldiers were the first to be murdered in NI in 12 years.
The soldiers were the first to be murdered in Northern Ireland since Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was killed by an IRA sniper in 1997. 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 hours after the attack.
Of those who were injured, three are in a serious condition and another is said to be serious but stable.Of those who were injured, three are in a serious condition and another is said to be serious but stable.
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.
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"
Innocent partyInnocent party
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.
Chief superintendent Derek Williamson said the pizza delivery men were an innocent party and both were among those injured.
He said: "There's no doubt whatsoever in my mind that this was an attempt at mass murder."
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.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.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.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a former IRA member, said nobody should say or do anything which would see Northern Ireland return to its troubles.Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a former IRA member, said nobody should say or do anything which would see Northern Ireland return 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."
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.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown described the attack as "evil" and said "no murderer" would derail the peace process.
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward condemned the shootings as "an act of criminal barbarism".
Terry Spence, the general secretary of the Police Federation, said all politicians must present a united front in the fight against terrorism.Terry Spence, the general secretary of the Police Federation, said all politicians must present a united front in the fight against terrorism.
"They must provide the police with information as to those who are committing these crimes from within their communities," he said."They must provide the police with information as to those who are committing these crimes from within their communities," he said.
"Whenever they deliver on that, then Northern Ireland will be a safer place for everyone.""Whenever they deliver on that, then Northern Ireland will be a safer place for everyone."
A spokesman for the US Department of State offered condolences to the families of the soldiers.A spokesman for the US Department of State offered condolences to the families of the soldiers.