Conversation of soldiers' killers recorded on mobile, court told

A MAN accused of murdering two British soldiers is not alleged to have said anything in a suspected mobile phone recording made…

A MAN accused of murdering two British soldiers is not alleged to have said anything in a suspected mobile phone recording made by the killers, his lawyer stressed yesterday.

Brian Shivers’ solicitor said no direct link was drawn to him following Belfast High Court revelations that a taped conversation involving the Real IRA killers was recovered by police.

Mr Shivers (44), of Sperrin Mews, Magherafelt, Co Derry, is charged with the murders of sappers Mark Quinsey (23) and Patrick Azimkar (21) at the gates of Massereene British army barracks in Antrim in March.

He is also accused of multiple attempted murders and possessing firearms and ammunition with intent, in connection with the Real IRA ambush on soldiers collecting food from pizza delivery men.

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During a failed application for bail yesterday, prosecutors said two mobile phones were recovered from a partially burned-out Vauxhall Cavalier getaway car.

It was claimed that a conversation was inadvertently recorded on one of the phones, with one gang member declaring: “There’s a few dead all right.” Another is heard saying: “I have to say boys, you were as crude as f***.”

Later in the transcript a second mobile phone rings before the instruction is given: “Hang it up. Turn it off. Fair enough.”

Mr Shivers, who is said to suffer from a severe cystic fibrosis condition, was denied bail despite £325,000 in cash and property being offered as sureties.

But following the refusal, defence lawyer Niall Murphy emphasised yesterday that nothing about the recordings had been directly linked to his client.

Mr Murphy said: “At no stage was it mentioned in court that those remarks had anything to do with Mr Shivers.” Mr Shivers is the second man to be charged with the murders. Lurgan republican Colin Duffy, is also on remand accused of the killings.