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Coordinates: 54°43′18″N 6°13′51″W / 54.7216°N 6.2307°W / 54.7216; -6.2307
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}}<!--See [[WP:BOLDTITLE]]: "if the title of a page is descriptive it does not need to appear verbatim in the main text, and even if it does it should not be in boldface." -->
}}<!--See [[WP:BOLDTITLE]]: "if the title of a page is descriptive it does not need to appear verbatim in the main text, and even if it does it should not be in boldface." -->


The '''2009 Massereene Barracks shooting''' occurred on 7 March 2009, when two unarmed<ref name="SM">{{cite web |title= Terrorists murder Ulster policeman (para 7)|publisher=[[The Scotsman]]|date=2009-03-10|url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews/Massereene-attack-60-shots-in.5054144.jp}}</ref> soldiers of the [[19th Light Brigade (United Kingdom)|38 Engineer Regiment]] were shot dead outside Massereene Barracks in [[Antrim, County Antrim|Antrim town]], [[Northern Ireland]]. Two other soldiers and two civilian delivery men were also shot and wounded during the attack. An [[Irish republicanism|Irish republican]] paramilitary group, the [[Real Irish Republican Army|Real IRA]], issued a statement claiming responsibility.
The '''2009 Massereene Barracks shooting''' occurred on 7 March 2009, when two unarmed<ref name="SM">{{cite web |title= Terrorists murder Ulster policeman (para 7)|publisher=[[The Scotsman]]|date=2009-03-10|url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews/Massereene-attack-60-shots-in.5054144.jp|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5ienS3EiW|archivedate=2009-07-30|deadurl=no|accessdate=2009-07-05}}</ref> soldiers of the [[19th Light Brigade (United Kingdom)|38 Engineer Regiment]] were shot dead outside Massereene Barracks in [[Antrim, County Antrim|Antrim town]], [[Northern Ireland]]. Two other soldiers and two civilian delivery men were also shot and wounded during the attack. An [[Irish republicanism|Irish republican]] paramilitary group, the [[Real Irish Republican Army|Real IRA]], issued a statement claiming responsibility.


==The attack==
==The attack==
Reports stated that the attack began at approximately 21:40 that evening when four off-duty and unarmed [[British Army]] soldiers of the Royal Engineer regiment walked outside the barracks to receive a pizza delivery from two delivery men.<ref name=IT> {{cite web |title=Two soldiers shot dead in attack on Antrim barracks |publisher=[[Irish Times]] |date=2009-03-08|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0308/breaking2.htm |accessdate=2009-03-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pizza delivery men among wounded in Northern Ireland terrorist attack |publisher=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=2009-03-08 |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/pizza-delivery-men-among-wounded-in-northern-ireland-terrorist-attack-14217891.html |accessdate=2009-03-08}}</ref> As the exchange was taking place, two gunmen in a nearby car (a green [[Vauxhall Cavalier]]) opened fire with semi-automatic rifles. The firing lasted for more than 30 seconds with more than 60 shots being fired.<ref name="SM"/> Two of the soldiers, [[Sapper]]s Mark Quinsey from [[Birmingham]] and Patrick Azimkar from [[London]], were killed<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5873840.ece|title=Army names Sappers killed in Ulster attack and defends guards who did not fire back|date=2009-03-09|publisher=The Times|accessdate=2009-03-09}}</ref><ref>[http://www.army.mod.uk/news/12929.aspx MOD press release: Sappers Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey killed in Northern Ireland]</ref> and the other two soldiers and two deliverymen were injured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7933530.stm|title=Army attack 'brutal and cowardly'|date=2009-03-09|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2009-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.krakowpost.com/articles/2009/03/09/1248.html|title=Pole Wounded in IRA Attack|date=2009-03-09|publisher=Krakow Post|accessdate=2009-03-09}}</ref> After the first volley of gunfire, the gunmen approached the wounded victims on the ground and opened fire again.<ref name=IT/><ref name="unfolded">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7931260.stm|title= How the barracks attack unfolded|date=2009-03-08|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2009-03-08}}</ref> A few hours later, the car involved was found abandoned near [[Randalstown]], eight miles from the barracks.<ref> {{cite web |title=PM Brown in terror summit in wake of RIRA double murder at Massereene|publisher=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=2009-03-09 |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/pm-brown-in-terror-summit-in-wake-of-rira-double-murder-at-massereene-14218521.html |accessdate=2009-03-09}}</ref> The soldiers were wearing desert fatigues and were to be deployed to [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan]] the next day.<ref name="IT"/><ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5871224.ece#prof Massereene Barracks attack started with pizza order]. 2009-03-08. Retrieved on 2009-03-08</ref>
Reports stated that the attack began at approximately 21:40 that evening when four off-duty and unarmed [[British Army]] soldiers of the Royal Engineer regiment walked outside the barracks to receive a pizza delivery from two delivery men.<ref name=IT> {{cite web |title=Two soldiers shot dead in attack on Antrim barracks |publisher=[[Irish Times]] |date=2009-03-08|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0308/breaking2.htm |accessdate=2009-03-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pizza delivery men among wounded in Northern Ireland terrorist attack |publisher=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=2009-03-08 |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/pizza-delivery-men-among-wounded-in-northern-ireland-terrorist-attack-14217891.html |accessdate=2009-03-08|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5ienP1nbH|archivedate=2009-07-30|deadurl=no}}</ref> As the exchange was taking place, two gunmen in a nearby car (a green [[Vauxhall Cavalier]]) opened fire with semi-automatic rifles. The firing lasted for more than 30 seconds with more than 60 shots being fired.<ref name="SM"/> Two of the soldiers, [[Sapper]]s Mark Quinsey from [[Birmingham]] and Patrick Azimkar from [[London]], were killed<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5873840.ece|title=Army names Sappers killed in Ulster attack and defends guards who did not fire back|date=2009-03-09|publisher=The Times|accessdate=2009-03-09}}</ref><ref>[http://www.army.mod.uk/news/12929.aspx MOD press release: Sappers Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey killed in Northern Ireland]</ref> and the other two soldiers and two deliverymen were injured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7933530.stm|title=Army attack 'brutal and cowardly'|date=2009-03-09|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2009-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.krakowpost.com/articles/2009/03/09/1248.html|title=Pole Wounded in IRA Attack|date=2009-03-09|publisher=Krakow Post|accessdate=2009-03-09}}</ref> After the first volley of gunfire, the gunmen approached the wounded victims on the ground and opened fire again.<ref name=IT/><ref name="unfolded">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7931260.stm|title= How the barracks attack unfolded|date=2009-03-08|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2009-03-08}}</ref> A few hours later, the car involved was found abandoned near [[Randalstown]], eight miles from the barracks.<ref> {{cite web |title=PM Brown in terror summit in wake of RIRA double murder at Massereene|publisher=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=2009-03-09 |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/pm-brown-in-terror-summit-in-wake-of-rira-double-murder-at-massereene-14218521.html |accessdate=2009-03-09|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5ienQeAra|archivedate=2009-07-30|deadurl=no}}</ref> The soldiers were wearing desert fatigues and were to be deployed to [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan]] the next day.<ref name="IT"/><ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5871224.ece#prof Massereene Barracks attack started with pizza order]. 2009-03-08. Retrieved on 2009-03-08</ref>


A [[Dublin]]-based newspaper, the ''[[Sunday Tribune]]'', received a phone call from a caller using a recognised Real IRA codeword. The caller claimed responsibility for the shooting on the soldiers on behalf of the Real IRA, adding that the pizza delivery men deserved their injuries as they were "collaborating with the British by servicing them."<ref>{{cite web |title=Real IRA Group 'Claims Army Barracks Attack'|publisher=Sky_News |date=2009-03-08|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Northern-Ireland-Shooting-South-Antrim-Brigade-Of-Real-IRA-Claims-Attack-In-Call-To-Sunday-Tribune/Article/200903215237131?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15237131_Northern_Ireland_Shooting%3A_South_Antrim_Brigade_Of_Real_IRA_Claims_Attack_In_Call_To_Sunday_Tribune|accessdate=2009-03-08}}</ref>
A [[Dublin]]-based newspaper, the ''[[Sunday Tribune]]'', received a phone call from a caller using a recognised Real IRA codeword. The caller claimed responsibility for the shooting on the soldiers on behalf of the Real IRA, adding that the pizza delivery men deserved their injuries as they were "collaborating with the British by servicing them."<ref>{{cite web |title=Real IRA Group 'Claims Army Barracks Attack'|publisher=Sky_News |date=2009-03-08|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Northern-Ireland-Shooting-South-Antrim-Brigade-Of-Real-IRA-Claims-Attack-In-Call-To-Sunday-Tribune/Article/200903215237131?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15237131_Northern_Ireland_Shooting%3A_South_Antrim_Brigade_Of_Real_IRA_Claims_Attack_In_Call_To_Sunday_Tribune|accessdate=2009-03-08}}</ref>
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In January 2009 security forces had to defuse a bomb in [[Castlewellan]],<ref> {{cite web |title=Two British soldiers killed in Northern Ireland attack |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=2009-03-08 |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKTRE52700320090308?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0 |accessdate=2009-03-08}} </ref> and in 2008 three separate incidents saw dissident republicans attempt to kill PSNI officers in [[Derry]], [[Castlederg]] and [[Dungannon]], [[County Tyrone]].<ref name=Telegraph/> In all three cases PSNI officers were seriously wounded. Two of the attacks involved the use of firearms while the other employed an under-car booby-trap bomb.
In January 2009 security forces had to defuse a bomb in [[Castlewellan]],<ref> {{cite web |title=Two British soldiers killed in Northern Ireland attack |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=2009-03-08 |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKTRE52700320090308?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0 |accessdate=2009-03-08}} </ref> and in 2008 three separate incidents saw dissident republicans attempt to kill PSNI officers in [[Derry]], [[Castlederg]] and [[Dungannon]], [[County Tyrone]].<ref name=Telegraph/> In all three cases PSNI officers were seriously wounded. Two of the attacks involved the use of firearms while the other employed an under-car booby-trap bomb.


Two days after the Massereene Barracks shooting, [[Police Service of Northern Ireland|PSNI]] officer [[Stephen Paul Carroll]] was shot dead by a sniper in [[Craigavon]], [[County Armagh]]. This was the first killing of a police officer in Northern Ireland since 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7933990.stm |title=Policeman shot dead in N Ireland |accessdate=2009-03-10 }}</ref> The [[Continuity Irish Republican Army|Continuity IRA]] claimed responsibility for this shooting and stated that "As long as there is British involvement in Ireland, these attacks will continue".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0310/craigavon.html|title=Two men held over PSNI murder|accessdate=2009-03-10}}</ref>
Two days after the Massereene Barracks shooting, [[Police Service of Northern Ireland|PSNI]] officer [[Stephen Paul Carroll]] was shot dead by a sniper in [[Craigavon]], [[County Armagh]]. This was the first killing of a police officer in Northern Ireland since 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7933990.stm |title=Policeman shot dead in N Ireland |accessdate=2009-03-10 }}</ref> The [[Continuity Irish Republican Army|Continuity IRA]] claimed responsibility for this shooting and stated that "As long as there is British involvement in Ireland, these attacks will continue".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0310/craigavon.html|title=Two men held over PSNI murder|accessdate=2009-03-10|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5ienRKZj3|archivedate=2009-07-30|deadurl=no}}</ref>


==Arrests==
==Arrests==
On Saturday 14 March 2009 police in Northern Ireland arrested three men in connection with the killings, one of whom was former IRA prisoner Colin Duffy, 41, who has broken away from mainstream republicans and criticised [[Sinn Fein]]'s decision to back the new [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]] (PSNI).<ref>{{cite web |title=Police Under Attack After Antrim Arrests |publisher=[[Independent Television News]] |date=2009-03-15|url=http://itn.co.uk/f46fee10c7510fdfacb8ee0630661760.html |accessdate=2009-07-05}}</ref> On 25 March 2009, after a judicial review of their detention, all the men were ordered to be released by the Belfast High Court, however Duffy was immediately re-arrested on suspicion of murder.<ref>{{cite web |title=Duffy Rearrested after High Court Judge overturns detention ruling |publisher=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=2009-03-26|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/duffy-rearrested-after-high-court-judge-overturns-detention-ruling-14242584.html |accessdate=2009-07-05}}</ref> On 26 March 2009 Colin Duffy was formally charged with the murder of the two soldiers and the attempted murder of five other people, and the following day he appeared in court for [[indictment]] and was remanded in custody to await trial after it was [[Allegation|alleged]] that his full [[DNA profile]] was found on a latex glove inside the vehicle used to commit the killings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colin Duffy in DNA link to soldiers’ killings, court told |publisher=[[The Independent]] |date=2009-03-27|url= http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/duffy-charged-with-murdering-two-soldiers-1655488.html |accessdate=2009-07-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Man charged over soldier murders |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=2009-03-27|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7967147.stm |accessdate=2009-07-05}}</ref> As yet no charges have been raised against any of the other arrested men.
On Saturday 14 March 2009 police in Northern Ireland arrested three men in connection with the killings, one of whom was former IRA prisoner Colin Duffy, 41, who has broken away from mainstream republicans and criticised [[Sinn Fein]]'s decision to back the new [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]] (PSNI).<ref>{{cite web |title=Police Under Attack After Antrim Arrests |publisher=[[Independent Television News]] |date=2009-03-15|url=http://itn.co.uk/f46fee10c7510fdfacb8ee0630661760.html |accessdate=2009-07-05|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5ientLl2V|archivedate=2009-07-30|deadurl=no}}</ref> On 25 March 2009, after a judicial review of their detention, all the men were ordered to be released by the Belfast High Court, however Duffy was immediately re-arrested on suspicion of murder.<ref>{{cite web |title=Duffy Rearrested after High Court Judge overturns detention ruling |publisher=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=2009-03-26|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/duffy-rearrested-after-high-court-judge-overturns-detention-ruling-14242584.html |accessdate=2009-07-05|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5ienWGTdc|archivedate=2009-07-30|deadurl=no}}</ref> On 26 March 2009 Colin Duffy was formally charged with the murder of the two soldiers and the attempted murder of five other people, and the following day he appeared in court for [[indictment]] and was remanded in custody to await trial after it was [[Allegation|alleged]] that his full [[DNA profile]] was found on a latex glove inside the vehicle used to commit the killings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colin Duffy in DNA link to soldiers’ killings, court told |publisher=[[The Independent]] |date=2009-03-27|url= http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/duffy-charged-with-murdering-two-soldiers-1655488.html |accessdate=2009-07-05|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5iens8eNQ|archivedate=2009-07-30|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Man charged over soldier murders |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=2009-03-27|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7967147.stm |accessdate=2009-07-05}}</ref> As yet no charges have been raised against any of the other arrested men.


Thursday, 23 July 2009 07:51 UK
Thursday, 23 July 2009 07:51 UK
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* [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Prime Minister]] [[Gordon Brown]] visited the scene of the attack on 9 March 2009 and met political leaders in Northern Ireland to urge a united front in the face of the violence. He stated that "The whole country is shocked and outraged at the evil and cowardly attacks on soldiers serving their country" and also that "No murderer will be able to derail a peace process that has the support of the great majority of Northern Ireland."<ref name="bbc">{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7930995.stm | title= 'Real IRA was behind army attack' | accessdate=2009-03-08 | date=2009-03-08 | publisher=BBC News }}</ref>
* [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Prime Minister]] [[Gordon Brown]] visited the scene of the attack on 9 March 2009 and met political leaders in Northern Ireland to urge a united front in the face of the violence. He stated that "The whole country is shocked and outraged at the evil and cowardly attacks on soldiers serving their country" and also that "No murderer will be able to derail a peace process that has the support of the great majority of Northern Ireland."<ref name="bbc">{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7930995.stm | title= 'Real IRA was behind army attack' | accessdate=2009-03-08 | date=2009-03-08 | publisher=BBC News }}</ref>
* [[Politics of the Republic of Ireland|Irish]] [[Taoiseach]] [[Brian Cowen]] said "A tiny group of evil people can not and will not undermine the will of the people of Ireland to live in peace together. Violence has been utterly rejected by the people of this island, both North and South."<ref name=Bloomberg>{{cite web |title=Two U.K. Soldiers Killed in Northern Ireland Attack |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] |date=2009-03-08 |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=aXMElMs02.Pk&refer=europe}}</ref><ref name=RTÉ> {{cite web |title=Two British soldiers shot dead in Antrim |publisher=[[RTÉ News]] |date=2009-03-08 |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0308/massereene.html |accessdate=2009-03-08}} </ref>
* [[Politics of the Republic of Ireland|Irish]] [[Taoiseach]] [[Brian Cowen]] said "A tiny group of evil people can not and will not undermine the will of the people of Ireland to live in peace together. Violence has been utterly rejected by the people of this island, both North and South."<ref name=Bloomberg>{{cite web |title=Two U.K. Soldiers Killed in Northern Ireland Attack |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] |date=2009-03-08 |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=aXMElMs02.Pk&refer=europe}}</ref><ref name=RTÉ> {{cite web |title=Two British soldiers shot dead in Antrim |publisher=[[RTÉ News]] |date=2009-03-08 |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0308/massereene.html |accessdate=2009-03-08|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5ielve3Fx|archivedate=2009-07-30|deadurl=no}} </ref>
* [[First Minister and deputy First Minister|First Minister]] [[Peter Robinson (politician)|Peter Robinson]] suggested that the shooting was a "terrible reminder of the events of the past" and that "These murders were a futile act by those who command no public support and have no prospect of success in their campaign. It will not succeed."<ref name=BBC2/>
* [[First Minister and deputy First Minister|First Minister]] [[Peter Robinson (politician)|Peter Robinson]] suggested that the shooting was a "terrible reminder of the events of the past" and that "These murders were a futile act by those who command no public support and have no prospect of success in their campaign. It will not succeed."<ref name=BBC2/>
* Deputy First Minister [[Martin McGuinness]] said "I was a member of the IRA, but that war is over now. The people responsible for last night's incident are clearly signalling that they want to resume or restart that war. Well, I deny their right to do that."<ref name="bbc"/> He later stated that the shooters of the PSNI officer killed two days later were "traitors to the island of Ireland".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7934894.stm| title= 'McGuinness: 'These people are traitors'' | accessdate=2009-03-09 | date=2009-03-09 | publisher=BBC News }}</ref>
* Deputy First Minister [[Martin McGuinness]] said "I was a member of the IRA, but that war is over now. The people responsible for last night's incident are clearly signalling that they want to resume or restart that war. Well, I deny their right to do that."<ref name="bbc"/> He later stated that the shooters of the PSNI officer killed two days later were "traitors to the island of Ireland".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7934894.stm| title= 'McGuinness: 'These people are traitors'' | accessdate=2009-03-09 | date=2009-03-09 | publisher=BBC News }}</ref>

Revision as of 17:08, 30 July 2009

2009 Massereene Barracks shooting
LocationMassereene Barracks, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Coordinates54°43′18″N 6°13′51″W / 54.7216°N 6.2307°W / 54.7216; -6.2307
Date7 March 2009 (2009-03-07)
~21:40[1] (UTC)
Attack type
Ambush
WeaponsAssault rifles[2][3]
Deaths2 soldiers
Injured2 soldiers, 2 civilians

The 2009 Massereene Barracks shooting occurred on 7 March 2009, when two unarmed[4] soldiers of the 38 Engineer Regiment were shot dead outside Massereene Barracks in Antrim town, Northern Ireland. Two other soldiers and two civilian delivery men were also shot and wounded during the attack. An Irish republican paramilitary group, the Real IRA, issued a statement claiming responsibility.

The attack

Reports stated that the attack began at approximately 21:40 that evening when four off-duty and unarmed British Army soldiers of the Royal Engineer regiment walked outside the barracks to receive a pizza delivery from two delivery men.[5][6] As the exchange was taking place, two gunmen in a nearby car (a green Vauxhall Cavalier) opened fire with semi-automatic rifles. The firing lasted for more than 30 seconds with more than 60 shots being fired.[4] Two of the soldiers, Sappers Mark Quinsey from Birmingham and Patrick Azimkar from London, were killed[7][8] and the other two soldiers and two deliverymen were injured.[9][10] After the first volley of gunfire, the gunmen approached the wounded victims on the ground and opened fire again.[5][11] A few hours later, the car involved was found abandoned near Randalstown, eight miles from the barracks.[12] The soldiers were wearing desert fatigues and were to be deployed to Afghanistan the next day.[5][13]

A Dublin-based newspaper, the Sunday Tribune, received a phone call from a caller using a recognised Real IRA codeword. The caller claimed responsibility for the shooting on the soldiers on behalf of the Real IRA, adding that the pizza delivery men deserved their injuries as they were "collaborating with the British by servicing them."[14]

The shootings were the first British military fatalities in Northern Ireland since Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was shot dead by a Provisional IRA sniper in February 1997, during the period known as "The Troubles".[15] The attack came days after a suggestion by Northern Ireland's police chief, Sir Hugh Orde, that the likelihood of a terrorist attack in Northern Ireland was at its highest level for several years.[16]

In January 2009 security forces had to defuse a bomb in Castlewellan,[17] and in 2008 three separate incidents saw dissident republicans attempt to kill PSNI officers in Derry, Castlederg and Dungannon, County Tyrone.[16] In all three cases PSNI officers were seriously wounded. Two of the attacks involved the use of firearms while the other employed an under-car booby-trap bomb.

Two days after the Massereene Barracks shooting, PSNI officer Stephen Paul Carroll was shot dead by a sniper in Craigavon, County Armagh. This was the first killing of a police officer in Northern Ireland since 1998.[18] The Continuity IRA claimed responsibility for this shooting and stated that "As long as there is British involvement in Ireland, these attacks will continue".[19]

Arrests

On Saturday 14 March 2009 police in Northern Ireland arrested three men in connection with the killings, one of whom was former IRA prisoner Colin Duffy, 41, who has broken away from mainstream republicans and criticised Sinn Fein's decision to back the new Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).[20] On 25 March 2009, after a judicial review of their detention, all the men were ordered to be released by the Belfast High Court, however Duffy was immediately re-arrested on suspicion of murder.[21] On 26 March 2009 Colin Duffy was formally charged with the murder of the two soldiers and the attempted murder of five other people, and the following day he appeared in court for indictment and was remanded in custody to await trial after it was alleged that his full DNA profile was found on a latex glove inside the vehicle used to commit the killings.[22][23] As yet no charges have been raised against any of the other arrested men.

Thursday, 23 July 2009 07:51 UK A 44-year-old man has been charged with the murders of two soldiers and the attempted murder of six other people. The man, who was arrested in mid-Ulster on Tuesday evening, is expected to appear in court on Thursday. He has also been charged with possession of firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8164381.stm

Responses

The killings were widely condemned. This included all mainstream political parties in Northern Ireland, the Irish government, the United States government and Pope Benedict XVI.[24][25][26] Initially, Sinn Fein was criticised for delaying its response and describing the killings as simply "wrong".[27]

  • British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited the scene of the attack on 9 March 2009 and met political leaders in Northern Ireland to urge a united front in the face of the violence. He stated that "The whole country is shocked and outraged at the evil and cowardly attacks on soldiers serving their country" and also that "No murderer will be able to derail a peace process that has the support of the great majority of Northern Ireland."[28]
  • Irish Taoiseach Brian Cowen said "A tiny group of evil people can not and will not undermine the will of the people of Ireland to live in peace together. Violence has been utterly rejected by the people of this island, both North and South."[29][30]
  • First Minister Peter Robinson suggested that the shooting was a "terrible reminder of the events of the past" and that "These murders were a futile act by those who command no public support and have no prospect of success in their campaign. It will not succeed."[2]
  • Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said "I was a member of the IRA, but that war is over now. The people responsible for last night's incident are clearly signalling that they want to resume or restart that war. Well, I deny their right to do that."[28] He later stated that the shooters of the PSNI officer killed two days later were "traitors to the island of Ireland".[31]
  • Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams condemned the shootings saying that those responsible had "no support, no strategy to achieve a United Ireland. Their intention is to bring British soldiers back onto the streets. They want to destroy the progress of recent times and to plunge Ireland back into conflict. Irish republicans and democrats have a duty to oppose this and to defend the peace process."[32]
  • On Wednesday 11 March 2009 thousands of people attended silent protests against the recent killings at several venues in Northern Ireland.[33]
  • At a press conference on 25 March 2009, the spokesman for Republican Sinn Féin, Richard Walsh, said the killings were "an act of war" rather than murder. He continued, "We have always upheld the right of the Irish people to use any level of controlled and disciplined force to drive the British out of Ireland. We make no apology for that". Additionally, he described the PSNI as "an armed adjunct of the British Army".[34]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Two British troops killed in N. Ireland". CNN. 2009-03-08. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  2. ^ a b "'Real IRA was behind army attack'". BBC. 8 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  3. ^ Mallie, Eamonn (2009-03-08). "Two soldiers dead in N Ireland army base shooting: police". Yahoo! News. Yahoo!. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  4. ^ a b "Terrorists murder Ulster policeman (para 7)". The Scotsman. 2009-03-10. Archived from the original on 2009-07-30. Retrieved 2009-07-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b c "Two soldiers shot dead in attack on Antrim barracks". Irish Times. 2009-03-08. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  6. ^ "Pizza delivery men among wounded in Northern Ireland terrorist attack". Belfast Telegraph. 2009-03-08. Archived from the original on 2009-07-30. Retrieved 2009-03-08. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Army names Sappers killed in Ulster attack and defends guards who did not fire back". The Times. 2009-03-09. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
  8. ^ MOD press release: Sappers Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey killed in Northern Ireland
  9. ^ "Army attack 'brutal and cowardly'". BBC. 2009-03-09. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
  10. ^ "Pole Wounded in IRA Attack". Krakow Post. 2009-03-09. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
  11. ^ "How the barracks attack unfolded". BBC. 2009-03-08. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  12. ^ "PM Brown in terror summit in wake of RIRA double murder at Massereene". Belfast Telegraph. 2009-03-09. Archived from the original on 2009-07-30. Retrieved 2009-03-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Massereene Barracks attack started with pizza order. 2009-03-08. Retrieved on 2009-03-08
  14. ^ "Real IRA Group 'Claims Army Barracks Attack'". Sky_News. 2009-03-08. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  15. ^ "Two die in 'barbaric' Army attack". BBC News. 2009-03-08. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  16. ^ a b "Two killed in attack on Antrim Army base in Northern Ireland". Telegraph. 2009-03-08. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  17. ^ "Two British soldiers killed in Northern Ireland attack". Reuters. 2009-03-08. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  18. ^ "Policeman shot dead in N Ireland". Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  19. ^ "Two men held over PSNI murder". Archived from the original on 2009-07-30. Retrieved 2009-03-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ "Police Under Attack After Antrim Arrests". Independent Television News. 2009-03-15. Archived from the original on 2009-07-30. Retrieved 2009-07-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "Duffy Rearrested after High Court Judge overturns detention ruling". Belfast Telegraph. 2009-03-26. Archived from the original on 2009-07-30. Retrieved 2009-07-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Colin Duffy in DNA link to soldiers' killings, court told". The Independent. 2009-03-27. Archived from the original on 2009-07-30. Retrieved 2009-07-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Man charged over soldier murders". British Broadcasting Corporation. 2009-03-27. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  24. ^ "Taoiseach says tiny, evil group will not undermine peace". Irish Times. 2009-03-09. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
  25. ^ "British prime minister visits scene of Co Antrim killings". Irish Times. 2009-03-09. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
  26. ^ Protests over Dissident Murders. BBC News
  27. ^ Gerry Adams defends response to murder of soldiers guardian.co.uk, Monday 9 March 2009 09.16 GMT
  28. ^ a b "'Real IRA was behind army attack'". BBC News. 2009-03-08. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  29. ^ "Two U.K. Soldiers Killed in Northern Ireland Attack". Bloomberg. 2009-03-08.
  30. ^ "Two British soldiers shot dead in Antrim". RTÉ News. 2009-03-08. Archived from the original on 2009-07-30. Retrieved 2009-03-08. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ "'McGuinness: 'These people are traitors". BBC News. 2009-03-09. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
  32. ^ "Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams Condemns NI Shootings". Sky News. 2009-03-08. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  33. ^ "'Standing in silence for NI peace'". BBC News. 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  34. ^ "PC's killing an act of war, not murder, says Republican Sinn Fein". Times Online. 2009-03-26. Retrieved 2009-03-08.

Two killed in gun attack in Northern Ireland at Wikinews Real IRA claims responsibility for gun attack at Wikinews

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