Massereene Murders Accused In Court

A 44-year-old Maghera man has been formally charged with the murders of two soldiers and attempted murders of six others at a Ballymena court.

Brian Shivers is accused of shooting dead Sappers Mark Quinsey, 23, from Birmingham, and Patrick Azimkar, 21, from London, (pictured) at the Massereene Army Barracks, Antrim, in March this year.

He is also accused of attempting to murder six others in the attack, which was orchestrated by dissident republicans.

Mr Shivers, who was arrested on Tuesday, also faces charges of possession of firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Detectives today told the court they believe another man involved in the shootings may have left Northern Ireland.

"We have previously tried to arrest another suspect in this investigation, but have been unsuccessful, and we have reason to believe he has fled the jurisdiction," Detective Inspector Justin Galloway said.

The court heard CCTV captured two men firing around 60 rounds of bullets during the Massereene attack.

PSNI officers said they had DNA evidence linking Mr Shivers to the alleged getaway car.

A defence lawyer claimed the DNA was low-copy, however, Magistrate Phillip Mateer said that despite the questions raised over such levels during the Omagh bomb trial, the court still accepted it as evidence.

Sappers Quinsey and Azimkar came under fire at they collected pizzas from the front of the base.

Semi automatic rifles were used in the Real IRA attack, which left several others seriously wounded, including the pizza delivery man.

The only other person to be accused of involvement in the murders so far has been prominent republican Colin Duffy.

(PR/JM)