Dissidents claim responsibility for police killing in Northern

LONDON, March 10 -- The dissident republican splinter group Continuity IRA on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the killing of a policeman in Northern Ireland.

In a coded message, the dissident group said the shooting of Constable Stephen Carroll in Craigavon was carried out by its north Armagh battalion, noting that "as long as there is British involvement in Ireland, these attacks will continue."

Carroll, 48, was shot dead as he and a colleague went to the aid of a woman in the predominantly Catholic Lismore Manor area.

The victim, from Banbridge, County Down, was an experienced officer with more than 20 years in service. He was reportedly sitting in his car providing cover when he was shot in the head at close range.

Carroll was killed after two British soldiers were shot dead by the Real IRA, another republican dissident group at the Massereene Barracks in Antrim on Saturday.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who visited Northern Ireland on Monday, said "There will be no return to the old days."

Sir Hugh Orde, chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, described the attackers as "criminal psychopaths" and vowed that "we will do our best in every way to bring these people to justice."

Meanwhile, authorities found a car seven miles from the Massereene Barracks that was said to be the getaway vehicle used by the Real IRA killers. Hopefully, the vehicle could provide vital clues to the shootings, authorities said.