UTV News - Sister's pain over Massereene visit

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Sister's pain over Massereene visit

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Mark Quinsey''s sister Jaime, and mother Pamela Quinsey
The sister of one of the soldiers murdered outside Massereene Army barracks has spoken about her pain at seeing the spot where her brother was gunned down.

Jaime and her parents came to Antrim for the first time on Saturday to welcome Mark Quinsey's regiment back from Afghanistan.

The 23-year-old and fellow sapper Patrick Azimkar were gunned down by the Real IRA in March, as they picked up a pizza outside the barracks.

"It still doesn't sink it," Jaime told UTV.

"It was horrible to see the gates, horrible to see the reaction of mummy, crying and my dad. You don't want to see your parents upset and I was trying to be strong for them. It was horrible."

Also present were relatives of Patrick Azimkar. Both families stood along the route to see their sons' friends return.

"When I saw them walking down I was crying because I could see every single soldier walking down," Jaime told UTV's Sharon O'Neill.

"They were so proud of themselves because they'd been over there. I just wish my brother was there because he'd be looking at me smiling and I could just see how proud he was. But he's not."

Jaime was overwhelmed by the thousands who turned out to support the families.

"I know people here are good people and I know they've felt what happened and it's hit them hard."

Almost seven months ago, the double murders not only shocked Northern Ireland, but the world.

But for the relatives of Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar, it still feels like yesterday.

"I still text his number. He's not going to get it but it feels like he can read it," Jaime said.

She said the loss of their only son had devastated her parents, Pamela and Billy.

Jaime told UTV: "When they say the word to you they'll never get over this, it's horrible because it's hard for me to think of a future life knowing my parents are going to be hurting all the way through their lives."

© UTV News

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