Sappers Cengiz Azimkar and Mark Quinsey

Man in court over murder of NI soldiers

Man in court over murder of NI soldiers

By politics.co.uk staff

Prominent republican Colin Duffy is due in court later charged with the murder of two soldiers in Northern Ireland.

Sappers Mark Quinsey, 23, and Patrick Azimkar, 21, were shot dead outside Antrim’s Massereene Barracks as they collected a pizza delivery on March 7th.

Mr Duffy has been charged with the pair’s murder as well as five counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

He was originally arrested on March 14th and was one of six suspects who recently challenged a court order allowing police more time to question them.

On Wednesday, the high court in Belfast ruled their continued detention was unlawful and five of the men were released, but Mr Duffy was immediately re-arrested and charged.

The deaths of the two soldiers were followed two days later by the shooting of Police Constable Stephen Carroll.

A 17-year-old youth and former Sinn Fein councillor Brendan McConville, 37, have both been remanded in custody charged with his murder.