Northern Ireland -

[Slinwagh]

wo soldiers have been shot dead during a gun attack at an army base in County Antrim, the Ministry of Defence says.

A spokesman said "four other personnel" were injured, one of them critically, in the attack at Massereene army base in Antrim, 16 miles north of Belfast.

No one has said their gunmen carried out the attack, but it is thought to be the work of dissident republicans.

Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward condemned the shootings as "an act of criminal barbarism".

Earlier reports suggested all those killed and injured were male. The MoD said the next of kin of the dead soldiers had been informed.

'Murderous attack'

Mr Woodward added: "My thoughts are with the families of those killed and injured in this murderous attack.

"The contrast between those who serve the community and those who would destroy it could not be clearer. The people who did this will be pursued and they will never stop the political process in Northern Ireland.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7930837.stm

What are peoples opinions on this? Is the "peace" that has been relatively achieved in Northern Ireland in danger?

There has been a notable increase iin the activity of dissident republicans lately, will it be nipped in the bud or is the the beginning of a new wave of violence?

[Mark]

Originally Posted by BBC News quoting SINN FEIN PRESIDENT GERRY ADAMS

Last night's attack was an attack on the peace process. It was wrong and counter productive. Those responsible have 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. There should be an end to actions like the one in Antrim last night. Sinn Fein has a responsibility to be consistent. The logic of this is that we support the police in the apprehension of those involved in last night's attack.

(highlighting added)

Regardless of what you may think of motivations, or even if you think there's a hidden agenda there, that's a public statement of support for PSNI by Sinn Fein. I think that might just be unprecedented.

These 'dissidents' seem to have no support. Not even from their own 'side'. The only thing they're achieving is the very thing they claim to be fighting against - PSNI's request for SRR assistance being a case in point.

[Jingo]

I think it's a horrible situation that draws home the reality of violent socio-politically driven force; Ireland is a hell of alot closer than the similar troubles we see broadcast from the middle east etc.

My father is a retired serviceman who was advised against travel in Ireland due to his military police career; something I never understood as a child and something that upsets me as an adult.