NEW SOIL sample evidence has emerged to allegedly link prominent republican Colin Duffy to the murders of two soldiers, the High Court in Belfast heard yesterday.
Prosecutors claimed an expert examination of a Mercedes car belonging to his co-accused, Brian Shivers, has established a further connection to the killings.
Details emerged as Duffy was refused bail due to fears his release could lead to more dissident republican attacks.
The 43-year-old, of Forest Glade, Lurgan, denies the murders of Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar, who were gunned down at the gates of Massereene barracks in Antrim in March 2009.
He has also pleaded not guilty to six counts of attempted murder and possession of firearms with intent in connection with the Real IRA ambush of soldiers collecting food from pizza delivery men.
Masked gunmen fired at least 60 rounds of ammunition at the victims before escaping in a waiting car.
Shivers (45), of Sperrin Mews, Magherafelt, denies the same charges. The two men are due to stand trial for the alleged offences later this year.
DNA evidence forms part of the prosecution case, with claims that Duffy’s profile matched the tip of a latex glove recovered from the partially burnt-out Vauxhall Cavalier getaway car. Soil samples from a hold-all in the vehicle containing camouflage jackets, balaclavas and ammunition were also said to be similar to those found on a boot belonging to Duffy.
Refusing bail, Mr Justice Deeny held that the nature of the alleged offences was relevant.
The judge said: “This was a successfully planned and ruthlessly executed terrorist attack, and the applicant is in the position that there is a prima facie case that he was actively involved or involved in some significant way in the joint enterprise.” He said the allegation was of involvement in “the taking of human life for reasons it would appear connected to support for dissident republican beliefs”.