There are continued calls for the Northern Ireland Secretary of State Karen Bradley to resign or be fired over her claim that killings carried out by security forces during the Troubles in the North "were not crimes."

Karen Bradley this afternoon said she was "profoundly sorry" for the comments she made in the made in the House of Commons yesterday.

She told the House that troops were simply people carrying out their duties "in a dignified and appropriate way."

The comments have been widely condemned and this afternoon, the former Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland Nuala O'Loan told BBC Radio 4's The World At One programme that Ms Bradley "has demonstrated once again that she is not fit to be Secretary for Northern Ireland."

"She doesn’t understand the history of Northern Ireland," she said.

"She doesn’t understand the extent to which I certainly as Police Ombudsman – and others over the decades – have been investigating situations where police officers and members of the military were involved in crime and have been convicted of crime.

"It simply shows a total lack of comprehension of Northern Ireland and we cannot continue to have a Secretary of State who is in such a state of ignorance nad who doesn’t understand the basic principles of governance and law."

Downing Street's official spokesperson has said UK Prime Minister Theresa May continues to have confidence in Ms Bradley despite the controversy over her comments.

'insensitive and wrong'

This afternoon, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the comments were 'insensitive and wrong.'

“I have met some of the families of people who were killed during the Troubles,” he said.

“They are still grieving; a lot of them are still hurting and a lot of them have questions that are unanswered and are seeking justice.

“I think in that context, the secretary of state’s comments were insensitive and they were wrong.”

"Deeply sorry"

Mrs Bradley later clarified the remarks in parliament, but has today issued a further statement and apology.

She said: "I want to apologise. I am profoundly sorry for the offence and hurt that my words have caused.

"The language was wrong and even though this was not my intention, it was deeply insensitive to many of those who lost loved ones."

She added: "I know from those families that I have met personally just how raw their pain is and I completely understand why they want to see justice properly delivered."

Whilst I welcome this apology from Karen Bradley, she has both in her statement and cack-handed clarification yesterday, seriously damaged confidence in her ability to address legacy issues impartially and protect the integrity of arrangements agreed at Stormont House. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/HiLi1ahsEM — Naomi Long MLA (@naomi_long) March 7, 2019

"Intense concern and hurt"

Tánaiste Simon Coveney read out sections of the statement in the Dáil this afternoon as he was quizzed on Ms Bradley's statements by TDs.

He met with Ms Bradley at an event in London yesterday evening.

Minister Coveney told deputies: "I can assure you she is in no doubt as to where we stand on this issue.

"We need to stop and recognise that her comments that her comments [yesterday] morning did cause intense concern and hurt and distress for families who lost their loved ones in dreadful circumstances."

He added: "I think that the Secretary of State recognises the seriousness of the statement that was made yesterday.

"I think she is making a very significant effort today to try and correct that, and has made a very direct apology to the families."

The Tánaiste added that she may comment further during a visit to Belfast later, and may also make 'direct contact' with the families concerned.

Additional reporting Michael Staines