Soldiers' relatives in plea for information on Antrim killings

The families of two soldiers murdered in a gun attack at a Northern Ireland army base have called for more information to catch those involved in the killings.

Brian Shivers, 46, from Magherafelt has been convicted of the murders of Mark Quinsey, 23, and Patrick Azimkar, 21.

The soldiers were shot dead as they collected pizza in March 2009.

Shivers' co-accused, Colin Duffy, 44, from Lurgan was earlier acquitted of murdering the two soldiers.

Shivers was also found guilty of six counts of attempted murder and one of possession of two firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Mr Duffy faced the same charges and was acquitted on all of them.

At a press conference in Antrim on Friday, the sister of Sapper Quinsey, Jaime Quinsey, said her family was "a little bit closer to justice" as a result of the court verdicts.

However, she said they were still not able to get closure and that the killings had been a "vicious and cowardly act".

Ms Quinsey also made an appeal for the Northern Ireland public to come forward with information which would could catch those involved in the killings.

This message was supported by the mother of Patrick Azimkar, Geraldine Ferguson.

She said she was pleased to hear that the police investigation into the killings was still ongoing.

"This was a terrible crime that stole Patrick and Mark's young lives from them and blighted the lives of many other people," she added.

Earlier, PSNI Chief Superintendent Peter Farrar said it would continue to pursue "all those involved in these evil murders".

"The gun attack was wrong plain and simple," he said.

"It was wrong when it happened and it is wrong today."

He said the killings had "achieved nothing" and only strengthened community and police resolve.