Two arrested over shooting of NI police officer
Tuesday, 10 March 2009 6:49 PM
By politics.co.uk staff
A 37-year-old man and a 17-year-old male have been arrested over the shooting of a policeman in Northern Ireland.
Constable Stephen Paul Carroll, 48, from County Down, was shot dead on Monday evening, two days after a pair of British soldiers were killed in an attack claimed by the Real IRA.
Constable Carroll was reportedly killed as he responded to a call for help in County Armagh.
Reports suggest two police vehicles attended the scene and as the officers got out they came under fire and Constable Carroll was hit and later died.
Police claim the incident took place on Monday evening, around 21:45 GMT, at Lismore Manor in Craigavon.
The Continuity IRA is thought to have claimed responsibility for the attack, with a released statement declaring: "As long as there is British involvement in Ireland these attacks will continue."
Talking at a press conference this afternoon, Chief Superintendent Alan Todd confirmed Constable Carroll was hit by one of many shots fired at the police vehicle from behind.
He urged members of the local community to come forward with information and said the police were attempting to track down a man wearing a light-coloured jacket seen running away from the scene last night.
Throughout today numerous politicians have condemned the shooting.
Prime minister Gordon Brown said this morning: "A small minority will never be allowed to undermine or destroy the political process.
"I believe all the political leaders of Northern Ireland have made it absolutely clear there will be no return to the dark days of the past.
"These are murderers who are trying to destroy a political process which is working for the people of Northern Ireland."
Northern Ireland secretary Sean Woodward also told Sky News: "These very wicked people may have the power to kill but they do not have the power to wreck the peace process."
Meanwhile, police chief Sir Hugh Orde described the incident as a "sad day" for Northern Ireland's police force but said it was too early to identify those responsible.
The last time a police officer was murdered in Northern Ireland was 1998 when Constable Frank O'Reilly was killed by a loyalist bomb blast.
Responding to questions over whether the death of the police officer was linked to the murders of the two soldiers on Saturday, Sir Hugh responded: "I think you are giving [the attackers] credit they ill deserve.
"I think these are disparate groups, badly infiltrated and indeed many awaiting trial north and south of the border.
"It just reminds us that a small group of people determined to wreck what is a huge political progress are becoming more dangerous."
Adding his condolences, Northern Ireland's first minister Peter Robinson said: "I unreservedly condemn this evil deed and offer my sincere sympathy to the officer's family circle.
"Those responsible for this murderous act will not be allowed to drag our Province back to the past," he said.
Deputy first minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness also called on members of the public to come forward and help police with their inquiries.
"The people responsible are hoping we will lose our nerve," he said.
"They are hoping to destroy the institutions which are supported by the people of this country. We are absolutely united in our opposition to what they are doing."
On Saturday, Sapper Mark Quinsey, 23, and Sapper Patrick Azimkar, 21, were shot dead as they accepted the delivery of a pizza they had ordered.
The pair had been about to be deployed to Afghanistan when they were killed.
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