Massereene double murder anniversary a reminder we 'should never be complacent': Paul Girvan

By Mark Rainey
Published 7th Mar 2024, 13:36 BST
Updated 7th Mar 2024, 13:54 BST
Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey who were shot outside Massereene Barracks in Antrim in 2009Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey who were shot outside Massereene Barracks in Antrim in 2009
Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey who were shot outside Massereene Barracks in Antrim in 2009
The 15th anniversary of the Massereene barracks murders is a reminder that we “should never be complacent” about a more peaceful society, Paul Girvan has said.

The South Antrim MP army sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar “will not be forgotten by the people of Antrim or across Northern Ireland”.

He said: "It has been marked today by the Royal British Legion and as in previous years the local community have also organised a commemoration at the gates of the former barracks.

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"The [Real IRA] attack in 2009 was a stark reminder at that time of the attempts to drag Northern Ireland back. It was followed just two days later by the murder of Constable Stephen Carroll who we also remember at this time.

"We know there are still those same elements present in our society who do not wish to see our society at peace, but the work of our police and security services must be credited with thwarting so many of their efforts over the years.”

Mr Girvan added: “Last year was the first year since statistics have been collected that no one was recorded as having lost their life in a politically motivated murder in Northern Ireland.

"That is a measure of the progress we have made, but we should not become complacent but ensure we continue to strive for a better and more peaceful Northern Ireland.”