Murdered soldier's family question troop security

The family of a soldier gunned down in the North feel more should have been done to protect the military base, it was reported today.

British soldiers Mark Quinsey (aged 23) and Patrick Azimkar (aged 21) were shot dead outside the front gates of Massereene Military barracks in Antrim on Saturday night.

Two other soldiers, as well as two pizza delivery men were badly wounded.

Sapper Quinsey’s uncle, James Pratt, told the Birmingham Mail: “What happened was purely a cold-blooded murder, but the Army should have done more to protect the troops at the base.

“They should have bulletproof vests to wear when they are outside the gates and why were there private security guards with handguns on guard, instead of soldiers with proper automatic weapons and rifles?”

His 61-year-old aunt, Shirley Quinsey, added: “It’s terrible the barracks was not better protected.

“What on earth are the Army doing using private security guards instead of their own soldiers to defend the base? The barracks should be where they are safest.”

More than 100 people joined a special group on social networking website Facebook in memory of Sapper Quinsey, from Birmingham, who joined the Army when he was 19.

Friends within his regiment spoke fondly of his charming “Brummie banter” and dry sense of humour.

He was also described as a “charismatic and affable young soldier” with vast potential.

The two young soldiers were the first to be murdered in the North in 12 years since Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was killed by an IRA sniper in 1997.