Statement from Lisburn Alderman Cecil Calvert:

“At a time like this our thoughts naturally turn to the families of those who have, like so many before them, been bereaved by vicious Republican gangsters. The pain and suffering which they are experiencing can only be understood by those who have experience the loss of a loved one in similar circumstances. Sadly, this has been an all too common experience in our Province.

“Resolute action is demanded to combat the threat posed by Republicans. I am not surprised by the failure of local Sinn Fein/IRA representative John O’Dowd to support any plans to obtain army backup for the PSNI. This exposed the half hearted nature of the Republican condemnations of these attacks. If you do not support all the measures which may be necessary to combat the Republican threat then you do not support the rule of law.

“Many people are fed up listening to the media describe the events of Saturday and Monday night as attacks upon the “peace process”. They were not. They were attacks upon the army and the police. Furthermore, the murder of David Johnston by the IRA in June 1997 was just as wrong as these recent killings. This is a point which Martin McGuinness will not be making.”