Garda commissioner Fachtna Murphy and PSNI chief constable Sir Hugh Orde have met in Belfast and have vowed to work closely in the wake of the dissident republican murders of two British soldiers and a police officer in the North.
The talks between the two men were originally planned for Dublin, but were changed to police headquarters at Knock in Belfast because of the pressures on the chief constable.
Constable Stephen Carroll was shot dead by the Continuity IRA in Craigavon, Co Armagh, on Monday night and soldiers Mark Quinsey (23) and Patrick Azimkar (21) were shot by the Real IRA at Massereene army barracks in Antrim on Saturday night.
In a statement released after the meeting today Sir Hugh said the relationship between both police forces was “excellent”.
“The Police Service of Northern Ireland working alongside our colleagues in An Garda Síochána and the Security Services is determined to bring those responsible for these despicable murders over the last week to justice,” he said.
Commissioner Murphy was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Operations Martin Callinan. He said an attack on any police officer was “an attack on the whole of society.
“Co-operation between both police forces on this island has been growing steadily and surely over recent years,” he added.
“Operationally both uniformed officers and detectives meet regularly to address a range of criminal activity and community safety issues. That determination extends into dealing with the current threat from terrorist criminals. We will continue to work closely with our colleagues in the PSNI.”
While the Continuity IRA said it was responsible for killing Constable Carroll, there were some reports last night of a possible link between the Antrim and Craigavon attacks.
However, Sir Hugh said the two shootings were being treated as “separate incidents”, and reports of a connection were “speculation”. The two men arrested in Craigavon on Tuesday remained in custody last night.
The bodies of the two British soldiers were handed to their families today after a service in Massereene barracks, while Constable Carroll will be buried in his home town of Banbridge, Co Down tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams was in Dublin today for a meeting with Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
Mr Cowen said he was "heartened" by the united response to the recent murders. Mr Adams said it was a "very good meeting" and that it was crucial no breathing space be given to "unrepresentative" dissident groups.
The leaders of Northern Ireland’s four main churches also met today as senior figures ontinue to heap scorn on the dissident republicans responsible for murdering three security force members.
The meeting comes after thousands took to the streets yesterday at trade union rallies held at a string of towns and cities in the region to show revulsion at the return of paramilitary violence.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are in the United States to begin a round of meetings with business figures and senior politicians, including President Barack Obama.
Meanwhile, roads in the Ballykinler area of Co Down were closed today amid a security alert. Police check points were set up and the PSNI are advising motorists to avoid the area. Ballykinler is the site of a large British Army base.
It is understood a 300lb bomb left near a primary school in Castlewellan last month was destined for Ballykinler.