Ulster Unionists set to remember 2009 Massereene Barracks attack 17 years on

Entrance to the Massereene Barracks site in Antrim, and inset, Sappers Patrick Azimkar (left) and Mark Quinsey (right), who were shot dead outside the Barracks gates in 2009.

Seventeen years on from one of the most shocking acts of violence in post-Agreement Northern Ireland, the Ulster Unionist Party will marked the anniversary of the Massereene Barracks attack, on Saturday (7 March), remembering two soldiers killed and others wounded in the 2009 shooting in Antrim.

On 7 March 2009, Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar were murdered in a gun attack outside Massereene Barracks while collecting food deliveries.

Two other soldiers and two civilian delivery men were also wounded in the attack.

A memorial at the entrance to the Massereene Barracks site in Antrim

The anniversary serves as a moment of reflection on the human cost of violence during a period when Northern Ireland was continuing to navigate the fragile stability of the peace process.

Ahead of the anniversary, South Antrim MP Robin Swann said the loss of the two soldiers remains a stark reminder of the ongoing need to safeguard peace.

“The senseless loss of Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar on the 7th March 2009 remains a stark reminder of the fragility of peace in Northern Ireland. Their sacrifice in the line of duty will never fade from memory.

“I pay tribute to those in our armed forces community who continue to live under threat here; they deserve our gratitude for all they do to protect us.”

Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor Leah Kirkpatrick said the anniversary also recalls the impact the events had on communities locally and across Northern Ireland.

“As we mark this solemn day, we remember the bravery of Mark and Patrick, who served to protect our communities in Antrim and beyond. Tragically, their loss was compounded just two days later by the murder of Constable Stephen Carroll, whose memory is still held dearly across our Borough.”

Ulster Unionist MLA Dr Steve Aiken said the legacy of the two soldiers continues to resonate more than a decade and a half later.

“Seventeen years on, the enduring legacy of Sappers Quinsey and Azimkar serves as a beacon of resilience against terrorism. Yet we must confront the reality that some in Northern Ireland still seek to glamorise or defend such acts of violence, underscoring our duty to preserve their legacy.”

The anniversary stands as a moment of remembrance for those who lost their lives and a reminder of the ongoing importance of protecting peace and rejecting violence in Northern Ireland.

At a glance

• The Ulster Unionist Party is marking the 17th anniversary of the Massereene Barracks attack on 7 March 2009.

• Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar were killed in the shooting outside the Antrim military base.

• Two other soldiers and two civilian delivery drivers were injured in the attack.

• Robin Swann MP said the tragedy highlights the fragility of peace in Northern Ireland.

• Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor Leah Kirkpatrick noted the attack was followed two days later by the murder of Constable Stephen Carroll.

• Dr Steve Aiken MLA said the soldiers’ legacy remains an important symbol of resilience against terrorism.