Memorial service for murdered Sappers
Councillor Paul Michael, chairman of Antrim Royal British Legion, and Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor John Blair, led the tributes at the War Memorial at Market Square in memory of Sappers Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey, who were killed in the Real IRA attack.
Speaking after the ceremony, Cllr. Blair said: “This morning I, on behalf of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and our Mayor Councillor Thomas Hogg, laid a wreath at the service, in Antrim, in memory of Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar.
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Hide Ad“These two servicemen were murdered at Masserene Barracks, on this date in 2009.”
Sappers Azimkar and Quinsey, of 38 Engineer Regiment, were killed when gunmen opened fire at the barracks as soldiers went to collect a pizza delivery. They had been due to deploy to Afghanistan just days later.
Four other people were injured in the attack.
South Antrim MLA Trevor Clarke said that Monday’s event marked the seventh anniversary of “the brutal murders of Sappers Azimkar and Quinsey”.
“These men died as a result of a terrorist attack at Massereene Barracks, Antrim on March 7 2009 and I hope one day that justice will be served,” Mr Clarke said.
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Hide AdMeanwhile, a moving service of Remembrance was held at the former Massereene Barracks on Sunday by the Royal British Legion motorcycle section, in memory of Sappers Quinsey and Azimkar.
And on Monday night, Randalstown Sons of Ulster, along with Randalstown Cultural Awareness Association held an act of remembrance at the former barracks for the two slain soldiers.