Soldier's death sparks fears of Ulster violence
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The IRA shooting of a soldier in south Armagh on Wednesday night produced a wave of condemnation in Britain and Ireland yesterday.
As fears increased of a fresh spiral of violence in Northern Ireland in the wake of the killing, the Royal Ulster Constabulary said last night that a bomb left on a housing estate in Co Armagh had been defused. The anti-personnel device containing semtex, nuts and bolts was found during searches of the Kilwilkie estate in Lurgan, where a rifle and pistols had been discovered on Wednesday.
The general dismay in Britain and Ireland at the latest casualty of the troubles was given added poignancy when it emerged that a new casualty had been added to the litany of deaths from the troubles
The soldier killed on Wed-nesday was shot in the back as he spoke to a female motorist. He was named as L/Bdr Stephen Restorick, 23, a single man serving with the 3rd Regiment of the Royal Horse Artillery. His family live in Peterborough.
His mother, Rita, said yesterday: "I don't want this to be the thing that starts off the troubles again."
The killing marked the return to violence of the IRA's south Armagh units. Nine of the last 10 soldiers killed in Northern Ireland prior to the IRA's August 1994 ceasefire died in Co Armagh. It also confirms that the security forces have yet to develop effective counters to the lethal activities of IRA snipers in south Armagh and other border districts.
Between 1992 and 1994, nine members of the security forces - six soldiers and three police officers - died in sniping incidents. Of these, six were killed in single-shot incidents. In addition, three RUC officers died in the county in similar sniping attacks.
Condemnation of the killing was led by John Major and the Taoiseach, John Bruton, who told the Dail: "The IRA campaign is anti-Irish, and contrary to the interests of all in Ireland."
Labour's spokeswoman on Northern Ireland, Marjorie Mowlam, said that her party had a host of ideas for reviving the peace process, pledging: "We will not respond to violence of that kind. We will be as tough as this Government has been."
David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party, which is closely associated with the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force, described the situation as "particularly dangerous", adding "loyalist politicians are doing everything we can to stop a slide back into loyalist violence."
Mitchel McLaughlin of Sinn Fein refused to condemn the killing, saying that he would not "play word games". He added: "There is an opportunity available on the other side of the British general election with a strengthened British government."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments