President Barack Obama today praised the people of Northern Ireland for responding “heroically” to recent the recent murders of two soldiers and a policeman by dissident republicans.
The North’s political parties have been united in their condemnation of the killers, with Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness branding them “traitors” to republicanism.
Mr Obama said the dissidents set a test and people had responded. “The real question was this: When tested, how would the people of Northern Ireland respond?” he asked. “Now we know the answer: They responded heroically. They and their leaders on both sides have condemned this violence and refrained from the old partisan impulses.
“They’ve shown they judge progress by what you build and not what you tear down. And they know that the future is too important to cede to those who are mired in the past.”
He added that the thoughts and prayers of Americans everywhere go out to the families of the victims.
“And I want everyone listening to know this: the United States will always stand with those who work towards peace,” he added. “After seeing former adversaries mourning and praying and working together this week, I’ve never been more confident that peace will prevail.”
Mr Obama made the comments during a St Patrick’s Day ceremony in the White House.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said reconciliation took patience.
“In recent days, an evil, unrepresentative and tiny minority has challenged the democratic institutions which we have built together in Ireland,” he said. “The people of Ireland, north and south, have risen to that challenge. They have spoken with one voice. They have rejected violence and division. They have stood by peace, reconciliation, democracy, and freedom.”
Constable Stephen Carroll (48), was shot dead by the Continuity IRA in Craigavon on March 9th. A total of seven people are being questioned about the murder. Two men, a 17-year-old and a 37-year-old, have been in police custody since last Tuesday. Officers were today given another week to question them.
Soldiers Mark Quinsey (23), from Birmingham, and Patrick Azimkar (21), from London, were shot dead by the Real IRA at Massereene Army barracks in Antrim. Police have been given until the weekend to continue questioning four men aged 41, 32, 31 and 21 in connection with the killings.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s First and Deputy First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuiness met the president at the White House for talks on the economic downturn and political developments in Northern Ireland.
Earlier the ministers addressed business and political leaders at the St Patrick’s Day Northern Ireland Bureau breakfast before meeting Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.