Reaction to attack | Sinn Fein statement |

The Real IRA, a dissident republican group behind the Omagh bombing, has claimed responsibility for an attack in which two soldiers were murdered execution-style outside their barracks in Northern Ireland last night.

Masked gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons on a group of four soldiers just outside the Massereene Barracks, Antrim, as they collected pizzas from Domino’s. Two delivery men were also injured in the attack – one is in critical condition.

At least two gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons on the group. They fired one burst, then walked forward and shot the victims as they lay on the ground.

The soldiers, from the 38 Engineer Regiment, were dressed in desert fatigues, as they were due to fly to Afghanistan today. Two soldiers were injured and are being treated at Antrim Area hospital.

Chief Superintendent Derek Williamson of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: “I have no doubt in my mind this was an attempt at mass murder.”

Tonight, using a recognised codename, the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the attack in a call to the Sunday Tribune, an Irish newspaper.

The gunmen were apparently aware that soldiers at the barracks followed a regular routine on Saturday nights when as many as 20 separate orders were made for pizza to be delivered.

Mr Williamson said Domino's in Antrim had received two separate delivery orders from the base at around 9.20pm. The orders were sent out separately and the two delivery men arrived one after the other at 9.40.

“The gunmen, having fired an initial volley of shots, moved forward when people were on the ground and fired additional shots at those people on the ground, so it was a very, very callous and very ruthless attack,” Mr Williamson said.

One of the pizza delivery men wounded in the shooting was named locally as Anthony Watson, 19, who lived in the Antrim area. His condition in hospital is described as “serious”. The condition of the second man, a 32-year-old Pole, is critical.

Police are examining a suspect vehicle abandoned in the nearby town of Randalstown. The car was left at around 11pm last night and police are investigating whether it was the vehicle used by the gunmen.

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