Real IRA group in 'conflict' warning

Two soldiers were shot dead at Massereene barracks last Saturday

By Mark Devenport
BBC Northern Ireland political editor

The Real IRA's political wing has warned its "conflict" will not end unless Britain renounces its claim to sovereignty over Northern Ireland.

The 32-County Sovereignty Movement issued the statement after the Real IRA murdered two soldiers at Massereene barracks in Antrim last Saturday.

On Tuesday, Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness stood side by side with Peter Robinson and Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde at a joint news conference.

Mr McGuinness said: "These people are traitors to the island of Ireland, they have betrayed the political desires, hopes and aspirations of all of the people who live on this island."

A statement on the 32-County Sovereignty Movement website rejected this, arguing that the peace process had "failed to address the core issue of the conflict".

The movement claimed Sinn Féin had "fallen into a trap" and described the image of Mr McGuinness calling IRA members "traitors" as "the pinnacle of British strategy".

The statement expressed no regret over the latest killings but referred to them as "yet another tragedy".

Sappers Mark Quinsey, 23, from Birmingham, and Patrick Azimkar, 21, from London, were shot at the base on Saturday as they accepted a pizza delivery.

Four men were also injured in the attack.