The Security Service aka MI5, appeals for help....

At around 9.40pm on Saturday 7 March, two soldiers from 38 Engineer Regiment were shot dead outside their barracks in Antrim. Two other soldiers and two members of the public were also injured in the attack, two of them critically. The attack was claimed by individuals identifying themselves as members of the Real IRA, a dissident Irish republican terrorist group.

Shortly before 10pm on Monday 9 March, a police officer was called to a house in Craigavon in response to a request for assistance from a member of the public. He was shot and subsequently died from his wounds. This attack was claimed by individuals identifying themselves as members of the Continuity IRA, another dissident republican group.

These murders are being investigated by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, with assistance from the Security Service and other agencies. The PSNI Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, has asked for anyone with information to "step forward, be brave" and assist the police in solving these crimes.

Northern Ireland Executive ministers and the British and Irish governments have made public statements condemning the attacks.

Who to contact

Detectives can be contacted on 0845 600 8000. Alternatively, members of the public can pass information anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111.

Anyone wishing to share information relating to possible threats to national security can contact the Security Service directly and in confidence by phone, e-mail or letter.

For more information on the shootings, see the following news releases from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (all links will open in a new window):

• Soldiers Murdered, Antrim (8 March 2009)
• Soldiers Murdered at Antrim Barracks (9 March 2009)
• Police Officer Murdered, Craigavon (10 March 2009)