Robinson Calls For Action After Police Murder

First Minister Peter Robinson has urged the Prime Minister and Chief Constable to take whatever action necessary to protect lives, following the third death of a security service member in the province in as many days.

His calls came after a policeman was gunned down in Craigavon last night. The Continuity IRA has since claimed responsibility for the brutal incident.

Local communities are still reeling from the attack, which saw officers, responding to an emergency call, come under fire.

One of the officers was fatality shot, today named as 48-year-old Constable Stephen Paul Carroll.

The murder happened just 48 hours after a Real IRA attack at the Massereene Army base in Antrim, where two soldiers were killed and four others, including two civilians, were seriously wounded.

Last night's police ambush happened at around 9.45pm. Officers were responding to a call for help from a distressed woman.

Two police vehicles, dispatched to the scene at at Lismore Manor, were shot at as officers emerged from the cars.

One man was hit and later died. It is believed the dead officer was married with children.

Northern Ireland police chief Sir Hugh Order described yesterday as a "sad day" for Northern Ireland.

Paying tribute to the slain officer, Sir Hugh said: "We are used to being attacked, but we will not step back.

"This will not put off me or my officers delivering the service we do to the communities we are paid to protect."

He said it was still too early to identify the killers, but all indications suggest dissident republicans.

Politicians across the province were steadfast in the condemnation of last night's brutal murder.

DUP leader Peter Robinson said: "On behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party and the people we represent, I would urge the Prime Minister and the Chief Constable to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that innocent life is protected in the face of this terrorist threat across Northern Ireland."

Condemning what he called an "evil deed", Mr Robinson added: "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."

Sinn Fein MLA for Craigavon John O'Dowd passed on his condolences to the dead man's family, and said those behind the attack had no place in progressing the Republican cause.

"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," he said.

"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.

"This is a time for strong political leadership and cool heads," added Mr O'Dowd.

Policing Board Chair Sir Desmond Rea said: "For a police officer to be shot in such a cold, callous and cowardly way when protecting the community is something which will be condemned by all right thinking people. It must not be allowed to hinder the peace and political progress being made in our society."

The last police officer to die in Northern Ireland was killed by a loyalist blast bomb during the Drumcree disturbances in 1998.

Two officers were gunned down the previous year by the IRA in Lurgan.

See: 'Outrage' Over PSNI Killing

(PR/JM)