10/02/2012

Dissident Republican Gets 25 Years

A dissident republican convicted of killing two British soldiers has been ordered to serve a minimum of 25 years.

Brian Shivers, 46, was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court this morning.

The cystic fibrosis sufferer from Londonderry has an estimated four to five years to live.

Shivers, from Magherafelt, was given a life sentence last month after being found guilty of the Real IRA murders of Sappers Patrick Azimkar, 21, and Mark Quinsey, 23.

He killed them both outside the Massereene Army barracks on Antrim on 7th March 2009.

Four others, including two pizza delivery men, were seriously injured in the attack which the Real IRA admitted responsibility.

Shivers' co-accused, 44-year-old Colin Duffy from Lurgan, was acquitted of the murder charges.

The Judge, Mr Justice Hart, said that appropriate arrangements would be put in place to provide the necessary medical care which Shivers will require in the future.

(CD/GK)

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