Families of Sapper Patrick Azimkar and Sapper Mark Quinsey who were killed in an attack at Massareene Barracks in Antrim gathered this morning to mark the tenth anniversary of their deaths.
A small private service was held at the former site of Massereene Barracks, where a commemorative tree was planted and a bench was unveiled in remembrance of the two Sappers.
Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar were shot dead outside the barracks on Saturday, 7th March 2009. Two of their colleagues were also injured in the attack, as were two civilians delivering pizza to the base. Another soldier, who was close by, narrowly escaped injury.
The victims’ families were joined at Market Square by Deputy Lieutenant of County Antrim, Colonel Norman Walker OBE TD DL and Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Michael as well as representatives from Royal British Legion, Royal Engineers and PSNI for the Remembrance Service.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Michael said he honoured to be joined by the families, and to lead the borough in the Service of Remembrance.
Mother of Sapper Patrick Azimkar, Mrs Azimkar thanked everyone for coming to remember Patrick and Mark whose young lives were stolen exactly ten years ago today.
“My family and I would like to thank all those who have been involved in making this possible: Dr Fitzgerald for his agreement to the creation of the garden and the Council for approving and funding it.
“The support shown by the local residents over the past ten years has been phenomenal and I would like to encourage anyone who would like to pay their respects, to do so at the Memorial at Market Square. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the Mayor, Councillor Paul Michael, who has worked so hard to make this happen,” she added.
Detectives meanwhile have renewed their appeal for information to help solve the murder of the two soldiers, and the attempted murder of three soldiers and two civilians.
Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray said: “Our thoughts today are very much with the families of Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar whose ongoing grief, pain and hurt must be unimaginable. It is also a poignant day for those who were injured and maimed and now live with the physical and psychological scars of that fateful attack.
“It is our appeal today that anyone who has information about the attack and those who carried it out would come to the police with that information which may open up new lines of enquiry. One person has been convicted for offences involved in the murder by providing the phone used to make calls claiming the attack, however it is the killers themselves who we want to bring before the court,” he added.
“The investigation has been long and complex. To date it has generated:
- 4,062 investigative actions
- 1,858 witness statements
- 33 searches
- 14 arrests
And he is appealing to those who know anything about the events of that night to come forward to police.
“Lives have been brutally taken and the lives of their loved ones changed forever. It is up to us all to work together to ensure that the tragedies of our past do not become the tragedies of the future. There are people in the community who know exactly what happened and who was involved. A decade has passed and with that allegiances change and people’s circumstances alter. It is never too late to come forward,” added Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray.
“The Azimkar and Quinsey families are facing yet another year without their loved ones and they deserve to see those involved brought to justice,” he added.
Anyone with information should contact detectives in the Major Investigation Team on 101 or if you would prefer to give information anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.