UUP Calls For Massereene Justice

Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott has called for justice to be served on behalf of two soldiers who were murdered at Massereene barracks in Antrim in 2009.

The announcement follows news that Brian Shivers, a terminally ill man who had initially been convicted for the murders, has been acquitted in a retrial.

Mr Shivers, 47, was originally told he would spend at least 25 years in jail for the attack, before his convictions were quashed by the Court of Appeal.

Mr Elliot said: "The fact that no-one has been made amenable for the brutal murders of Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar at Antrim’s Massereene barracks in 2009 is a terrible burden for the families.

"Our thoughts are very much with them today. These were two brave men serving their country and their families had the right to expect that they would be safe in any corner of the United Kingdom."

Sappers Patrick Azimkar, 21, from London, and Mark Quinsey, 23, from Birmingham, were shot by the Real IRA in an ambush in March of 2009, when they went to collect a pizza delivery at the gates of the barracks.

Both men were unarmed and were ambushed by dissidents, who shot them before driving away and setting light to the getaway car.

Mr Shivers had initially been convicted as a result of his DNA being found on matches and a phone in the burned-out getaway car. This evidence was found to be circumstantial, and the Court was unable to be sure that the DNA had not merely been placed there by "an innocent transfer".

Mr Elliot continued: "Following their murders, they are entitled to expect truth and justice like all victims of violence. Their murders were a stain on Northern Ireland and the failure to bring those responsible to justice is a further stain.

"For the sake of the families, this must not be allowed to rest."

(IT/MH)