One year on

As we approach the anniversary of the brutal murders of Patrick Azimer, Mark Quinsey and Stephen Carroll by dissident republicans, Ulster Unionist Leader Sir Reg Empey reflects on the events which left Northern Ireland stunned and saddened.

"It is hard to believe that it has been a year since Northern Ireland was once again plunged into tragedy with the brutal murders of Sappers Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey at Massarene Barracks and of Constable Stephen Carroll in Cragiavon.

Although there had been many attempts on the lives of officers (including a car bomb outside Castlederg a shooting in Dungannon and a shooting in Londonderry) - it still came as a huge shock when the news broke. Two young soldiers were dead.

The news that another member of the security forces had been targeted followed like a huge blow. I was in the middle of a UTV interview and I think the expression on my face at that time explains how I felt. Scared, anxious - could this really be happening. The murders of the two innocent soldiers was still so raw and then the realization that a PSNI officer - Constable Stephen Carroll was the latest victim of the Northern Ireland Troubles dawned. Once again Northern Ireland was thrown into the media spotlight.

I know that my words offer little to the families of those who lost and still grieve loved ones, but I hope they can take some comfort in the voices from our community - a community who joined together in complete solidarity saying - these criminals, these faceless men in masks will not succeed. We have come too far to go back.

In reality we are facing the biggest republican threat in recent history. Just last week, we saw evidence of dissidents in Newry - it is only down to the hard work and determination of the PSNI officers on the ground that we were not faced yet again with another tragedy. They are working in the background - yes, they are a minority but we must ensure that their republican ideologies are not allowed to take root. They are recruiting and we need to deter those young people who are not old enough to see the pain that terrorism causes. We need to protect these young people - give an alternative to our turbulent past.

The only way that Northern Ireland can truly move forward is by total commitment to the democratic process."