Sad Return As Army Wins Stormont Praise

Hours after the dedication and courage of an 'Irish' Army regiment won fulsome praise at the highest political level, a separate sad journey was taking place.

Providing a graphic illustration of such service and sacrifice, the body of Co Armagh's Lieutenant Neal Turkington (pictured) was flown home to the UK today.

The 26-year-old Portadown officer was killed alongside two colleagues in Afghanistan last week when a rogue Afghan soldier turned on them, killing all three and injuring four others.

On Monday - during an unrelated event - Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson underlined the dedication and courage of the 1st Battalion The Irish Guards while on a visit to the regiment's Victoria Barracks in Windsor, London as they prepared for their deployment to Afghanistan later in the year.

The First Minister - who was accompanied by Junior Minister and party colleague Robin Newton - visited the battalion to see at first hand the preparations.

The Ministers were briefed by Commanding Officer Lt Colonel Chris Ghika on the regiment's preparations before spending some time with members of the battalion and inspecting some of the equipment they will take to Afghanistan.

As preparations were made to open books of condolence at civic buildings across the Craigavon borough in memory of the murdered officer and former Portadown College student, the Stormont First Minister was lending his support to the other soldiers preparing for the war zone.

Speaking at their barracks in London, Mr Robinson said: "The Irish Guards have a proud and honourable tradition of serving their country around the world.

"The six Victoria Crosses won are a testament to the bravery of the regiment and I have no doubt they will face the challenges of serving in Afghanistan with the same courage and determination.

"Spending some time with members of the battalion has been a humbling experience; the courage they display in carrying out their duties is truly inspiring."

Junior Stormont Minister Newton said: "When we hear news of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, our thoughts and prayers go to those serving in the front line but also to the families and loved ones waiting at home.

"We are immensely proud of the selflessness and dedication to duty of all those young men and women who put their lives at risk in an effort to achieve peace and stability."

Meanwhile, tragic Lieutenant Turkington whose remains were repatrated this morning into RAF Lynam in Wiltshire had served with the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles and the Ministry of Defence said of him that he "had the highest expectations of himself and his platoon, to whom he dedicated himself wholeheartedly".

See: Afganistan Victims' Bodies Flown Home

(BMcC/GK)