Political process ‘unshakeable’ despite murders

THE Northern political process remains unshakeable despite the murder of two soldiers by the Real IRA, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said yesterday.

As detectives hunting the killers released new details of the gun attack at Massereene Barracks, Mr Brown visited the scene to hold talks with security chiefs. He also met political leaders at Stormont who united in opposition to the gunmen.

Mr Brown said the killers hoped to shatter the political unity at Stormont, but had only increased the determination of party leaders to support the peace process.

“They want to send out the message to the world, as I do, that the political process will not and can never be shaken,” said Mr Brown.

“In fact, the political process is now unshakeable.”

All parties extended sympathy to the families of murdered soldiers Sapper Mark Quinsey, 23, and Sapper Cengiz ‘Patrick’ Azimkar, 21.

Two further servicemen and two pizza delivery men were injured as men with automatic weapons fired more than 60 bullets in 30 seconds as the troops collected food at the barracks’ gate at 9.40pm on Saturday.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness last night confirmed they will go ahead with a joint visit to the United States.

“We will not allow those behind Saturday night’s attack to divert us from the important work of government and of the task of building prosperity and attracting much needed inward investment necessary in the current economic climate,” they said in a joint statement. “We were elected to lead and through the democratic institutions, deliver for everyone throughout the community.

“We will not allow a tiny mindless minority to set our political agenda or divert us from delivering for the whole community.”

Mr Robinson told a packed Northern Ireland Assembly the attack was a throwback to years of violence he said would never return, while Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said his party would stand up to anyone who tried to undermine the political process.

Catholic and Protestant communities prayed together at Massereene barracks in the aftermath of the attack and yesterday senior clergy from the Church of Ireland and Catholic Church visited the injured in hospital.

The four wounded include two pizza delivery men, one named locally as 19-year-old Anthony Watson and the second a Polish man aged 32.

Trade union leaders confirmed they will stage rallies across Northern Ireland in opposition to the attack.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is organising lunchtime rallies for workers and their families at City Hall in Belfast, Guildhall Square in Derry and Newry Town Hall on Wednesday. Other venues for silent protest and reflection would be announced.

Peter Bunting, general secretary of the ICTU said: “The horror and shock shown by the people of Northern Ireland in response to the repugnant murders last Saturday must be expressed publicly. Those who long for a society at peace with itself and with others can express their solidarity with that most dignified form of protest, a wall of human silence.”

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said the shooting was condemned by politicians in the North and in the Republic. Political leaders and security chiefs from both sides of the border will meet this week for talks.

The soldiers had been waiting to leave for a tour of duty in Afghanistan and Mr Woodward said they were held in the highest regard in their regiment.

“Patrick Azimkar was just 21,” he said. “He was looking forward to facing the challenges of his first operational tour in Southern Helmand.

“Mark Quinsey, who was 23, was equally looking forward to the operational challenges he would face in Afghanistan.”

He branded the attack barbaric and said the gunmen showed no mercy to the soldiers or the civilians.