Soldiers Families Oppose Parade

[PaddyO'Neill]

The families of two soldiers killed at Massereene Barracks almost three years ago have intervened in a row over how their sons will be remembered.

Mark Quinsey, 23, and Patrick Azimkar, 21 were shot dead by the Real IRA in Antrim in March 2009.

A group of loyal order bands wanted to mark the third anniversary of their deaths with a parade through the town.

But the plans have been changed after members of the council and the soldiers' families objected.

The Antrim and District Marching Forum wanted 30 bands to parade through the town centre and up to the scene of the shooting on 7 March.

There were plans for a service and a wreath-laying ceremony at the front of the barracks, which is now closed.

SDLP councillor Thomas Burns was opposed to the event.


Massereene Barracks in Antrim is now closed "In the aftermath of this disaster, of these dreadful murders of the two soldiers taking place in Antrim and how that whole community came together, the united support, we don't want to lose that community goodwill," he said.

However, DUP councillor Trevor Clarke said it was right to remember the soldiers and other service personnel in such a way.

He said Protestant people were proud of the culture in Northern Ireland and "proud of what the security forces have done for us all to protect all sides of the community throughout the conflict".

He added: "Here we have a situation where republican thugs, scum, whatever you want to call them, taking action into their own hands to kill two individuals.

"So the Protestant community, being through the bands' forum, want to mark the anniversary of the loss of these two soldiers' lives."

The Azimkar and Quinsey families said on Thursday that they did not want the parade.

Antrim Mayor Paul Michael has been involved in consultations with the families.

"The decision clearly by the family is that this must be seen as inclusive and it must be recognised that the whole community was attacked here," he said.

"And it is those views and those feelings that the bands' forum clearly have taken on board and so the wishes of the families will be adhered to."


Brian Shivers was convicted of killing the sappers A spokesman for the Antrim and District Marching Bands Forum, Ryan Abraham, said they had now decided not to proceed with the parade.

He said the forum fully respected the wishes of the families and "there was never any intention to cause any offence".

The bands forum is now planning to commemorate all troops who have died in conflicts around the world with a parade in the town on 7 March and a service at the local cenotaph.

The soldiers were the first to be murdered in Northern Ireland since Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was killed by an IRA sniper in 1997.

Last month, Magherafelt man Brian Shivers, 46, was convicted of the murders. Shivers' co-accused, Colin Duffy, 44, from Lurgan was acquitted.


BBC News - Massereene soldiers' families try to quell row over memorial parade

[between the bridges]

full text and no comment? poor post paddy what is your view?

[longmarch]

Correct thing to do. I fully understand the families reasoning.

[cmca1]

BBC News - Massereene soldiers' families try to quell row over memorial parade

Just a couple of comments to make about this.

1. It's not only the 'Protestant community' that opposes shooting security services. The vast majority of communities in Northern Ireland oppose such behaviour, so why make remembering the lives of two innocent soldiers a 'Protestant only style' event?

2. Had the two soldiers been in the Orange Order perhaps you could understand, but I don't believe either of them were.

I also see there is a plan to hold a parade in honour of soldiers who have died in conflict around the world, what has the OO got to do with the British Army? Any event in memory of those who have died through the troubles or through dissident violence should take place in a dignified and appropriate manner which shows that the whole community oppposes sectarian violence and do not wish to see those activities return to our streets. Orange Order parades are a 'Protestant only' event.

[between the bridges]

mods?

[Mickeymac]

The families of two soldiers killed at Massereene Barracks almost three years ago have intervened in a row over how their sons will be remembered.

Mark Quinsey, 23, and Patrick Azimkar, 21 were shot dead by the Real IRA in Antrim in March 2009.

A group of loyal order bands wanted to mark the third anniversary of their deaths with a parade through the town.

But the plans have been changed after members of the council and the soldiers' families objected.

The Antrim and District Marching Forum wanted 30 bands to parade through the town centre and up to the scene of the shooting on 7 March.

There were plans for a service and a wreath-laying ceremony at the front of the barracks, which is now closed.

SDLP councillor Thomas Burns was opposed to the event.


Massereene Barracks in Antrim is now closed "In the aftermath of this disaster, of these dreadful murders of the two soldiers taking place in Antrim and how that whole community came together, the united support, we don't want to lose that community goodwill," he said.

However, DUP councillor Trevor Clarke said it was right to remember the soldiers and other service personnel in such a way.

He said Protestant people were proud of the culture in Northern Ireland and "proud of what the security forces have done for us all to protect all sides of the community throughout the conflict".

He added: "Here we have a situation where republican thugs, scum, whatever you want to call them, taking action into their own hands to kill two individuals.

"So the Protestant community, being through the bands' forum, want to mark the anniversary of the loss of these two soldiers' lives."

The Azimkar and Quinsey families said on Thursday that they did not want the parade.

Antrim Mayor Paul Michael has been involved in consultations with the families.

"The decision clearly by the family is that this must be seen as inclusive and it must be recognised that the whole community was attacked here," he said.

"And it is those views and those feelings that the bands' forum clearly have taken on board and so the wishes of the families will be adhered to."


Brian Shivers was convicted of killing the sappers A spokesman for the Antrim and District Marching Bands Forum, Ryan Abraham, said they had now decided not to proceed with the parade.

He said the forum fully respected the wishes of the families and "there was never any intention to cause any offence".

The bands forum is now planning to commemorate all troops who have died in conflicts around the world with a parade in the town on 7 March and a service at the local cenotaph.

The soldiers were the first to be murdered in Northern Ireland since Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was killed by an IRA sniper in 1997.

Last month, Magherafelt man Brian Shivers, 46, was convicted of the murders. Shivers' co-accused, Colin Duffy, 44, from Lurgan was acquitted.


BBC News - Massereene soldiers' families try to quell row over memorial parade

Parades that are deemed to be divisive in an already divided community are immoral....end of.

[between the bridges]

anyhow..

1. band event not OO, even the 'bbc' can get it wrong.

2. unlike a recent parade that families didn't want to take place the bands listened to and accepted the family's wishes.

[between the bridges]

1. band event not OO, even the 'bbc' can get it wrong.

2. unlike a recent parade that families didn't want to take place the bands listened to and accepted the family's wishes.

[PaddyO'Neill]

full text and no comment? poor post paddy what is your view?

I think it's the right thing to do if both families didn't want their sons names to be associated with it.

[PaddyO'Neill]

1. band event not OO, even the 'bbc' can get it wrong.

2. unlike a recent parade that families didn't want to take place the bands listened to and accepted the family's wishes.

All the BS Sunday families didn't want the parade to take place?

I see whataboutery is alive and well anyway.