Garda Boss Pays Respects To North's Murdered Policeman

Ireland's most senior police officers have stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the funeral of murdered police constable Stephen Carroll (pictured).

The sad event has taken place in Banbridge, Co Down today. Thousands of people lined the streets to pay their respects to 48-year-old Mr Carroll, who was gunned down by the Continuity IRA.

Politicians from all the main parties joined with mourners at St Therese Church in the this afternoon.

PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde was joined by Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy, as well as UUP MP Lady Hermon, the British Army chief, Brigadier George Norton and NI Secretary Shaun Woodward, as well as a delegation from Sinn Féin.

Mr Carroll's remains, which left from his home, received a police guard as it entered the church, proceeded by a lone piper.

The service was led by the Catholic Bishop of Dromore, the Most Rev John McAreavey, who said the people of Northern Ireland refuse to be "dragged back into the morass of hatred and violence".

An emotional Sir High Orde promised the officer "would not be forgotten", a sentiment marked with applause from the congregation.

Kate Carroll, the policeman's widow, had earlier spoken to the press about her grief.

Mrs Carroll said she hopes her husband did not die in vain.

"He thought this war was over, but obviously not and I just can't believe this has all started up again.

"If Steve's death has made a positive effect on all of this that's all I care about. It's a hard lesson for everyone to learn but if it brings something positive out of it then fine, but I don't want Steven to have died in vain."

Last night MI5 made a rare appeal for information on the recent dissident attacks.

It urged members of the public to assist PSNI inquires into the fatal shootings of two young soldiers on Saturday night, and the killing on Mr Carroll less than 48 hours later.

Real IRA members claimed responsibility for the murders of Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar at the Massereene army base in Antrim.

Shots were fired as the men collected a pizza delivery from the front of the barracks, four other were wounded in the attack, including two civilians.

Mr Carroll was shot dead while responding to an emergency call in Craigavon on Monday evening.

The Continuity IRA later said it had killed the policeman.

MI5 does not usually make direct appeals, it is thought the last time the service made a public plea was following an attempted bomb plot at the Tiger Tiger nightclub in London two years ago.

The appeal, along with confidential contact details, have been published on the MI5 website.

The bodies of Sappers Quinsey and Azimkar are to be flown back to England in the coming days.

A special memorial service was held at the Massereene barracks yesterday.

Colleagues, friends and family all paid tribute to the men.

Meanwhile, it has emerged police have been granted five more days to question a 37-year-old man and a 17-year-old youth arrested in connection with the murder of Constable Carroll.

(PR/JM)