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[kazza 1]

From UTV new tonight...

Wednesday 11 March 2009 17:40

Two held over Craigavon murder

Two men, aged 17 and 37, continue to be questionned over the murder of a policeman in Craigavon.

The suspects were arrested in Craigavon on Tuesday, after the dissident republican group Continuity IRA said it had murdered Constable Stephen Carroll.

The arrests were made as officers searched a number of homes in the Drumbeg estate which overlooks the murder scene.

Police had mounted a major security operation before moving in to detain the man. The moment the police arrested the 17 year-old suspect was captured by helicopter which was hovering over the area at the time.

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A family man

The 48-year-old officer, a married man with a family, was gunned down as he and a colleague investigated reports of suspicious behaviour in the Lismore Manor area at around 9.45pm on Monday.

• Report (11/03/09): Two days after he was murdered by dissident republican terrorists, Constable Stephen Carroll came home to Banbridge. Sharon O`Neill reports.

"A good husband has been taken away from me and my life has been destroyed," said Constable Carroll`s devastated wife.

Pc Carroll, had served with the police for 24 years, and was two years away from retirement. He was studying part-time for a sports science degree and had hoped to go into coaching after leaving the PSNI.

Local resident and councillor Kiernan Corr`s 12-year-old son heard the fatal shots: “I was picking him up from the local youth club and he came running down towards the car and he was in a bit of a state.

"I asked him what was wrong and he said ‘Daddy there’s gunfire, there’s been shooting, get me out of here.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has condemned the “murderers” who carried out the shooting and has vowed: “There will be no return to the old days."


The victim is the first PSNI officer to be killed by terrorists. The last RUC officer was murdered in 1998.

Speaking in London, the Prime Minister said: "These are murderers who are trying to distort, disrupt and destroy a political process that is working for the people or Northern Ireland."

He said the people of Northern Ireland "do not want a return to guns on the street".

The shooting comes as tributes continue to pour in following the murders of soldiers Mark Quinsey, 23, and Patrick Azimkar, 21, on Saturday as they collected pizza from delivery men at the gates of Massereene Barracks in Antrim.

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`To end of the Earth`

Speaking at a joint press conference with the First and Deputy First Ministers at Castle Buildings, Sir Hugh Orde said police would do all they could to track down Pc Carroll`s killers.

After briefing Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness on the progress of the investigation into his murder and the shootings of the soldiers outside Massereene Barracks, he said: "We will pursue those responsible to the ends of the Earth."

Calling for the public to be brave and give detectives full assistance, the Chief Constable added: "Collectively, I am clear, we will solve these crimes. We will deliver justice and we will allow the peace process to continue."

First Minister Peter Robinson said: "I unreservedly condemn this evil deed and offer my sincere sympathy to the officer`s family circle. The entire police family is in my thoughts and prayers at this time.

"I am sickened at the attempts by terrorists to destabilise Northern Ireland. Those responsible for this murderous act will not be allowed to drag our Province back to the past."

Mr McGuinness said: "These people are traitors to the island of Ireland, they have betrayed the political desires, hopes and aspirations of all of the people who live on this island."

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Earlier, Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward also offered his condolences to the officer`s family.

He said the people of Antrim who suffered the loss of two soldiers had shown the way forward with their resilience.

"Those few who committed these cowardly crimes have shown they have the capacity for evil acts but they don`t have the capacity to undermine the peace process and the firm political progress."

Irish Taoiseach Brian Cowen said he was saddened and disgusted at the murder.

"It`s with deep sadness and disgust that I learned of the despicable murder of a policeman as he was doing his duty in serving the community in Craigavon.

"His family and friends, and his colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, are in our thoughts and prayers at this time."

Irish President Mary McAleese also expressed her outrage and extended her sympathies to the family of the dead officer.

Peace process `under attack`

The DUP MLA for the Upper Bann constituency where the shooting took place, David Simpson, linked the death to the murder of the two soldiers shot dead at Massereene barracks on Saturday.

He said the political process was under attack from terrorists intent on causing mayhem.

"What we have seen over the last 36 hours is a deliberate and sustained effort by terrorist murderers to try and drag Northern Ireland back to the worst days of Ulster`s past," he said.

"I utterly and completely condemn the criminals responsible for this latest outrage and I hope that the vermin responsible for it are brought to justice immediately."

• Alliance Leader David Ford expressed revulsion at news of the shooting of the police officer.

He said: "My heart and the hearts of the whole community goes out to the family and colleagues of the police officer who has been so brutally murdered serving the people of Northern Ireland.

"I simply cannot comprehend the sheer evil of those involved in this attack. This shooting was cowardly and despicable."

"This murder must be roundly condemned by all right-thinking people. It is clear that dissident republicans are determined to attempt a sustained attack on peace and stability in Northern Ireland."

• UUP Deputy Leader Danny Kennedy said:

"On behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party I utterly condemn this latest wicked and murderous attack by dissident republicans.

"These terrorists seem totally incapable of understanding that they are flying in the face of the overwhelming will of the people in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland--who want peace and political stability."

• SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly said:

"We`re staring into the abyss. There is little point appealing to the people who planned and did this, but all of us have to realise we are on the brink of something absolutely awful. All of us have to get together to pull ourselves back from the brink. A tiny handful of people with nothing to say and nothing to offer cannot be allowed to destroy so much."

• Upper Bann Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd said:

“This is an attack on the peace process. It is wrong and it is counter productive and I would extend my condolences to the dead man`s family at this time.”

“As with what happened in Antrim over the weekend we condemn it. Whoever carried out this shooting was not doing so to advance Irish republican or democratic goals. They have no strategy to deliver a United Ireland."

Churches speak out

• The leader of the largest Protestant church in Ireland, Presbyterian Moderator Rev Donald Patton has offered condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the murdered officer.

Dr Patton said: "This outrageous and senseless attack by a few people intent on taking us back into the past must not and will not deflect the vast majority who will continue to work hard to move us into a peaceful and positive future."

• The Most Revd Alan Harper, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland said his “thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the police officer”.

He appealed for “absolutely no thought of retaliatory action by loyalists or others.”

He said this would “only play directly into the hands of the people responsible for what has happened. Violent acts do not serve the legitimate political aspirations of anyone on this island.”

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As those who have posted in this thread have said.. no one wants to go back to the way we where 15 years ago. When I heard that the 2 soliders had been shot, I cried. Have not cried so hard in years. I broke my heart and now a policeman, just doing his job, has had his life cut short, by, as far as I'm concerned, are the scum of the earth. These are people who want to keep the cr@p going in this country and they wont rest untill they have achieved their goal. But I'm hoping that our goverment will stand by what they have said and not give them the chance! But I dont think bringing troops back onto the streets of our wee country is the right thing to do. Bringing in the SAS to take them out only makes Martyrs out of them. And they dont deserve that.

[Number 9]

Bollox Karen mate!
Bring back the SAS and take them all out.These people do not have human rights IMO!Once a man picks up a gun to shoot unarmed soldiers or a police man from lurking in darkness they loose every right a human has.
Some people actually think they are heroes,they are cowards,pathetic individuals and have been over 30 years.planting bombs and running off before it explodes,shooting from distance,lurking in shadows,putting bombs under peoples cars as they sleep,bombing fish shops with intent of killing innocent men women and children.They are not an army,never were and never will be.Soldiers walk with their chins up and face the enemy,these bags of shi'te have not got the balls to do that..they are not fit to wipe a British soldiers @rsehole clean!
Fuc'king runts of the planet is all they are!

[Emerald Red]

Sometimes it is better to think about what you are about to write before doing so on impulse.

[Mikz]

So what is it youre saying Bazza? 
I think its down to the provos to sort these boys out, they usually got their man -theyre using their name after all, they know who they are , sort it out or face the consequences.
Nobody wants to go back to that carry on! Every man and his dog know if it does start up it will be war this time.   

[7_Kewell]

sending in the SAS would only makes things worse...could you image if they shot someone who was innocent? they did it a few times in the 80s and it would cause hell if they turned up and did it now.

Just leave it to the NI police to sort out...if they need help the'll ask for it

[Number 9]

So what is it youre saying Bazza? 
I think its down to the provos to sort these boys out, they usually got their man -theyre using their name after all, they know who they are , sort it out or face the consequences.
Nobody wants to go back to that carry on! Every man and his dog know if it does start up it will be war this time.   

What im saying is simple mate..we have a garden and in it there are weeds!We have a system that cannot take care of the weeds.We need to bring in a system that will do away with them before they gain power or any support..overtake the garden?
Execute the bast,ards..kill them!
As for emy red..shush son,you are not an ulsterman,you do not understand and are too far caught up in warped romanticism to have a clue,worry about Ireland mate,your own country,the UK will look after itself as we always do and come off best!

[Big Niall]

emotions are running strong and it would be wrong to go in over the top and get the wrong people(as happened in the past).

I've no problem with the killlers being killed, but the time must be taken to get the right guys.

also, the worst thing would be, as suggested in a previous post to get the IRA to sort them out, you cannot spend  a decade getting violent men to accept politics and ask them to be violent again.

[Emerald Red]

So what is it youre saying Bazza? 
I think its down to the provos to sort these boys out, they usually got their man -theyre using their name after all, they know who they are , sort it out or face the consequences.
Nobody wants to go back to that carry on! Every man and his dog know if it does start up it will be war this time.   

What im saying is simple mate..we have a garden and in it there are weeds!We have a system that cannot take care of the weeds.We need to bring in a system that will do away with them before they gain power or any support..overtake the garden?
Execute the bast,ards..kill them!
As for emy red..shush son,you are not an ulsterman,you do not understand and are too far caught up in warped romanticism to have a clue,worry about Ireland mate,your own country,the UK will look after itself as we always do and come off best!

This is my country. If it weren't, surely I'd be deported for flashing an Irish passport should I be asked for ID where required.

You're advocating death squads on a shoot to kill policy to come in and just start shooting people dead. Be it if they are guilty or part of an illegal organization or not, that's not how certain members of the public, and other groups will perceive it. It didn't work back in the day, and it won't work now. The only thing it will serve to do is strengthen the resolve of these so called splinter groups and actually gain them more and more support. The troubles would return.

[Dundalk]

Lads lets not get into a row over this

I think we all totally condemn what happened and don't want to go back to the old days, there is no need for anyone to fall out with each other over this

[Effes]

Hopefully the case will be treated like a crime rather than "terrorism" - if you know what I mean.

Nail the feckers with sound evidence, try them in court and let justice take it's course.

[Big Niall]

So what is it youre saying Bazza? 
I think its down to the provos to sort these boys out, they usually got their man -theyre using their name after all, they know who they are , sort it out or face the consequences.
Nobody wants to go back to that carry on! Every man and his dog know if it does start up it will be war this time.   

What im saying is simple mate..we have a garden and in it there are weeds!We have a system that cannot take care of the weeds.We need to bring in a system that will do away with them before they gain power or any support..overtake the garden?
Execute the bast,ards..kill them!
As for emy red..shush son,you are not an ulsterman,you do not understand and are too far caught up in warped romanticism to have a clue,worry about Ireland mate,your own country,the UK will look after itself as we always do and come off best!

An honest question.

I always think of Northern Ireland as being British and have no interest in a united ireland as long as the majority of people in Northern Ireland want to stay British (and currently many catholics want to stay British too).

however, I find it strange that Northern ireland people talk about "ulster" all the time, when 3 of the 9 counties of Ulster are in the Republic of Ireland.

Why do the unionist people in NI talk about Ulster. And again - i know people up there are sensitive on all this so no offense meant.

[Sabre]

I know I'm a foreigner, but I understand the problem better than the normal continental as we have our own E.T.A. here.

I can imagine how Dundalk feels about some cúnts killing in the name of his beloved country, I can understand Barry's rage, I can understand everybody, and we all hate terrorism.

IMHO if terrorism survived in the past it was because it had a network of support, a political arm, a complex structure which doesn't seem to be the case now, so it probably won't be necessary much to erradicate them. They should be dealt fast, but no one innocent should pay the price of terrorism.

I'm very sorry about this and following it with close attention.

[Bam]

I fecking love you Barry

Say it as you see it brother.

Have you ever given it anythought as to why these 'cowards' take such acts. I.E bombing people and all that jargon ? They cant shoot straight and would be no match for the SAS they have to use guerialla warfare. Brooks, N.(2001)

[kazza 1]

Bollox Karen mate!
Bring back the SAS and take them all out.These people do not have human rights IMO!Once a man picks up a gun to shoot unarmed soldiers or a police man from lurking in darkness they loose every right a human has.
Some people actually think they are heroes,they are cowards,pathetic individuals and have been over 30 years.planting bombs and running off before it explodes,shooting from distance,lurking in shadows,putting bombs under peoples cars as they sleep,bombing fish shops with intent of killing innocent men women and children.They are not an army,never were and never will be.Soldiers walk with their chins up and face the enemy,these bags of shi'te have not got the balls to do that..they are not fit to wipe a British soldiers @rsehole clean!
Fuc'king runts of the planet is all they are!

Barry I am not disagreeing with what you are saying. But as 7_kewell said, what happens if they "take the wrong person out"?? Eveyone will be up in arms and the whole thing could start up again. No one wants that. But what I am saying is no one wants to make them Martyrs. Theres enough of them on both sides of the divide without making anymore. I dont think that someone who starved themselves to death or someone who took a life just because they are the wrong religion or because they are a British Solider or policeman, deserves to be put on a pedelstool and made a hero. Because in my eyes they are not. Bringing in the SAS to take them out would make them that.
I like you lived through the troubles (I was born on 1969) and I dont want to go back to those dark days. If you watched UTV last night you would have seen the rallies that took place all over the province. People dont want it anymore and they are willing to stand up and say so. Hopefully by doing so, these so called "soliders for the cause" will crawl back into the woodwork and let the good people of Northern Ireland live in peace.

[dawson99]

They are terrorists, should deal with them the same way we deal with terrorists anywhere else in the world.