DNA evidence will link Co Derry man Brian Shivers to the murder of two British soldiers at Massereene British army barracks in Antrim four years ago, prosecuting lawyer Terence Mooney QC said yesterday at Belfast Crown Court.
Mr Shivers (47), from Sperrin Mews in Magherafelt, is charged with murdering British soldiers Mark Quinsey (23) and Patrick Azimkar (21) outside the army base in Antrim in March 2009.
Mr Shivers, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, is also charged with six counts of attempted murder and one of possession of two firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life in relation to the dissident republican attack.
The two soldiers were gunned down as they were collecting pizza outside the barracks on March 7th, 2009. Two other soldiers and two pizza delivery men were seriously injured in the attack just hours before the soldiers were to deploy for service in Afghanistan. Another soldier and a civilian security guard suffered severe shock.
Graphic video footage of the attack was shown in court yesterday during the first day of the non-jury case in front of Mr Justice Deeny.
The CCTV film shows Mr Quinsey, from Birmingham, and Mr Azimkar, from London, heading to the front entrance of the base with other soldiers to collect pizzas they had ordered from Domino’s in Antrim.
65 shots fired
The film shows two gunmen firing from AK automatic assault rifles at the soldiers and delivery men. After the first bursts, they return to fire more shots, with one of the gunmen reloading his weapon during the attack. In all 65 shots were fired in the attack, which was claimed by the Real IRA.
“Chillingly, the gunmen moved in to shoot some of the victims as they lay on the ground – undoubtedly to ensure that the victims were despatched,” said Mr Mooney.
The footage also shows the getaway Vauxhall Cavalier.
Mr Mooney, in outlining the prosecution’s case, concentrated on evidence found in a remote country area about seven miles from Antrim where the gang bungled an attempt to burn the getaway car before transferring to another vehicle or vehicles.
He detailed how two spent matches were found in the back seat which, he said, contained Mr Shivers’s DNA. A spent match found outside the car contained components of his DNA and a mobile phone found in the vehicle also had his DNA.
Mr Mooney also said Mr Shivers’s alibi that he was at home with his girlfriend on the night of the murders, only leaving the house to collect a Chinese takeaway, “did not stand up to scrutiny”. Shivers denies the charges.
