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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Shot dead . . . Danny Doherty, left, and William Fleming.
Counsel for the next of kin of one of the men shot dead by the SAS in the grounds of Gransha Hospital on December 6 1984 has said that the question of the training of the specialist military unit involved could be important at the upcoming inquest.
William Fleming (19) from the Waterside and Danny Doherty (23) from Creggan were shot dead by the SAS on the morning of December 6 1984.
Both men were travelling on a motorbike which was rammed and then Fleming was shot 4 times in the head and 56 times to the body while Doherty was shot 3 times to the head and 21 times to the body.
The inquest is due to begin on April 17 in Banbridge and is scheduled to last 6 weeks before Justice Ian Huddleston.
At a preliminary hearing today Karen Quinlivan KC for the Doherty family said going on the experience of other inquests the training of the unit involved would be important.
She said that no training records had been retained but there had been a witness at other hearings who could deal with this issue.
The barrister said that perhaps this hearing should consider if that witness was required in this case.
Mark Mulholland KC representing the bulk of the military witnesses said he was not sure that that particular witness was suitable in this case but added that he would discuss it with the counsel for the next of kin.
Mr Mulholland also said that he hoped to be able to provide statements from those military witnesses who were willing to co-operate with the inquest by February 20.
As regards one military witness, Soldier A who is believed to have rammed the motorbike and also to have been involved in the shooting, counsel said that this witness had attended a consultant psychiatrist and he believed that the report would be available by the beginning of next month.
John Rafferty for the PSNI told the hearing that a police witness known as Witness 2, was also providing a medical report over his fitness to attend the hearing.
Another preliminary hearing will be held on March 3.
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