BELFAST, Northern Ireland -- Irish nationalist terrorists apologized for shooting a woman in the back and killing her as she tried to protect her soldier husband -- but warned others against defending British servicemen.
'Our active service unit entered the house and ordered the soldier on to the street,' the outlawed Irish Republican Army said a statement released Wednesday.
'One of our volunteers was tackled by several women and in the ensuing struggle, a weapon was discharged accidentally. The soldier was shot by the other volunteer.
'Any family who shields and defends any British soldier or allows their home to be used by them must accept the consequences of their actions,' the IRA statement said. The IRA is waging a campaign of violence to force the union of British-ruled Northern Ireland with the republic of Ireland.
Alice Purvis was shot in the back Tuesday night by masked gunmen who burst into a Londonderry house where she and her husband, Brian, were visiting relatives. She died before reaching a hospital.
Purvis, a sergeant in the British army, and his wife's sister, Nancy Wasson, were seriously wounded. Mrs. Purvis' 78-year-old mother witnessed the shooting and was being treated for shock.
The gunmen escaped.
Intelligence sources in Northern Ireland have advised security chiefs of a possible surge in terrorist activity prior to Britain's general election June 9.
Lucy Clifford, a sister of Mrs. Purvis, said the family had warned the soldier about the potential danger of visiting Londonderry, some 60 miles northwest of Belfast.
But she said Purvis, on leave when the shooting occurred, thought the visit 'worth the risk.'
Purvis had not been out of the house since arriving Friday, Mrs. Clifford said, adding neighbors first knew he was there when she sought help after the shooting.
Mrs. Clifford said when the gunmen burst in, Mrs. Purvis pushed one and Mrs. Wasson got in front of Purvis, and a shot was fired.
Mrs. Purvis 'again got in front of my other sister and Brian and the gunmen fired a shot and whatever way she turned, he shot her in the back,' Mrs. Clifford said.
