The Taoiseach last night "utterly condemned" those responsible for yesterday's bombing of an RUC station in Co Armagh. In a statement Mr Ahern said: "These acts will not deter the Government - and I trust will not deter anybody who is seeking peace - from their work in progressing the peace process and finding an agreement in the interests of all reasonable people on this island." The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, said the bomb in Markethill was "the action of reactionaries, who have nothing to offer for the future." Sinn Fein's expression of regret at the bomb attack was "surprisingly weak and ambiguous", he added.
"Using the word `regret' rather than `condemn' suggests ambiguity and confusion," said Mr Bruton.
The Church of Ireland Primate, Dr Robin Eames, said he was "horrified and dismayed to learn of the outrage at Markethill" and described it as "a callous action".
"We had all hoped that such attacks had been consigned to the past. Whoever was responsible clearly intended to influence the talks process," said Dr Eames.
"It is now more important than ever that the long-suffering people of Northern Ireland can see hope for their future through determined and courageous political debate. Terrorism must not write our agenda for the future."
The Green Party's spokesman on Northern Ireland, Mr Trevor Sargent, said the covert bombing was "the most cowardly act imaginable" and highlighted the importance of proceeding with the talks undeterred.
The Dublin-based peace group, STOP '96 campaign, said the explosion was "an atavistic attack on the whole peace process and must be utterly condemned by all".