RIRA Killers 'Evil' Says Cowen

The Taoiseach has described the paramilitary killers of two soldiers in Co Antrim on Saturday as "evil".

Mr Cowen was speaking in response to the shock gun attack, which left two dead and four others injured, including a Polish-born pizza delivery men.

The two young soldiers were the first to be murdered in Northern Ireland in 12 years.

Paramilitary group the Real IRA, who are linked to the Omagh bomb massacre in 1998, has since claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Taoiseach said: "I condemn in the strongest possible terms the murders in Antrim. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved and to the injured, and look forward to seeing those responsible brought swiftly to justice.

"A tiny group of evil people cannot, and will not, undermine the will of the people of Ireland to live in peace together," he said.

President Mary McAleese also strongly condemned the violence and said that her thoughts and prayers were with the families of those who had been killed and with the injured.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny described the shootings as a vicious attack of a kind not seen for over a decade.

He said: "We have grown accustomed to a peace that has allowed all communities on the island to look to the future with optimism. This brutal assault last night is a throwback to a period that we all hoped was in our past."

The Labour Leader, Eamon Gilmore also offered words of condemnation and consolation for the families of the hurt.

"This attack was clearly carried out by those who want to turn the clock back and see Northern Ireland plunged again into sectarian conflict," he said.

He added: "There was never any justification for attacks of this nature, but these murders are particularly deplorable at a time when the democratic institutions are up and running in Northern Ireland and when we have seen comprehensive policing reform."

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited the army barracks on Monday morning accompanied by NI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde.

See: PM Visits Real IRA Murder Scene

(DW/BMcC)