A REPORT on the killing of the British soldier in Bessbrook, Co Armagh, including the security implications, has been sent to the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, by the Anglo-Irish Secretariat.
A Government spokesman said yesterday that the shooting was discussed in "routine contacts" between officials in Dublin and Downing Street. Sources in Government said it was difficult to say at this stage if the attack would spark loyalist retaliation.
"The gardai are also keeping the security situation under review," the spokesman said.
Further condemnation of the shooting of Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was voiced in the Dail by politicians on both sides of the House.
Describing the killing as "an outrage", the Taoiseach said it was "anti-Irish and antithetical to the interests of all Irish people". It was an expression of "something we wish to eradicate from our society, the use of violence to achieve political ends".
The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, expressed his "utter repudiation of the senseless and brutal murder" which only further endangered peace on this island. It was long past the time when Sinn Fein should show political leadership and declare if it was seriously interested in a peaceful settlement "and whether it will ever play a useful part in the ongoing talks".
Supporting the Taoiseach and Mr Ahern, the leader of the Progressive Democrats, Ms Mary Harney, said the Sinn Fein leadership had spoken about the event as if it was something that was bound to happen.
"But it was not bound to happen. Somebody pulled the trigger and carried out a cold-blooded murder It is time we sent a message to that movement, a movement that believes the only method of communication is through the barrel of a gun," Ms Harney said.