TRIBUTES WERE paid to two British soldiers shot dead in Northern Ireland on the first anniversary of their deaths yesterday as detectives renewed appeals for help in catching the killers.
The Royal British Legion held a memorial service outside Massereene barracks in Antrim where Sappers Patrick Azimkar (21), from London, and Mark Quinsey (23), from Birmingham, were gunned down by the Real IRA.
A lone piper played a lament for the fallen soldiers as a crowd of around 100 stood with heads bowed. Church leaders from all the main denominations in the North spoke at a short service. Afterwards wreaths were laid in front of the barracks gates.
Inside the compound the army held its own private memorial for the sappers, who were hours from deploying to Afghanistan when they were killed. They were collecting a pizza at the barracks gates when two gunmen walked across the road and opened fire before fleeing in a getaway car.
Two pizza delivery men and two other military personnel were seriously injured in the attack by extremists opposed to the Northern peace process.
Two men – including Lurgan dissident Colin Duffy – have been charged with the murders and attempted murders. Police believe others were also involved.
Senior investigating officer Det Supt Peter Farrar urged anyone with information to come forward.
“If you were in the area of Randalstown Road, near Massereene Barracks on Saturday March 7 2009, between 9pm and 10pm, please call the incident room on 028944 81641,” he said. “Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”
As well as the two charged with the Massereene killings, 13 others have been arrested and questioned over the attack during the last 12 months. – (PA)