A man (44) accused of murdering two British soldiers outside an army barracks in Northern Ireland left his DNA on matchsticks found in a partially burnt out getaway car, a court heard today.
The police case against Brian Patrick Shivers, from Maghera, Co Derry, is based on forensic evidence recovered from inside and around the Vauxhall Cavalier used by the gunmen who shot dead sappers Mark Quinsey (23), from Birmingham, and Patrick Azimkar (21), from London, at the front gates of Massereene base in Antrim in March, a detective told Ballymena Magistrates Court.
Det Insp Inspector Justin Galloway said: “Two matches recovered from the rear seat of the Vauxhall Cavalier revealed a full DNA profile. A match found beside the vehicle had a partial profile.”
The officer said a partial DNA profile was also found on a mobile phone in the vehicle.
Mr Shivers, who the court heard suffers from cystic fibrosis, is also accused of six counts of attempted murder related to the Real IRA gun attack, and of possessing firearms and ammunition with intent.
Prominent Lurgan republican Colin Duffy has already been charged with the murders, and during today’s hearing, police said they feared another suspect they were looking for had fled the jurisdiction.
Magistrate Philip Mateer remanded Mr Shivers in custody, after refusing a defence application for bail.
PA