Doherty and Fleming hearing: Expert to ascertain if 'Soldier A' should be exempted on medical grounds

One of the main former military witnesses to the shooting of two Derry men shot dead by the SAS in the grounds of Gransha Hospital on December 6 1984 may be examined by an expert to ascertain if he should be granted a medical exemption.

A review hearing today in the inquest of Daniel Doherty (23) from Creggan and William Fleming (19) from the Waterside heard that an expert is being identified to examine Soldier A who is seeking a medical exemption from giving evidence. 

Soldier A is believed to have been the soldier who rammed the motorbike the two men were on and was involved in the shooting that followed. 

Fiona Doherty KC counsel for the Coroner told the hearing that the Coroner's Service is ready to identify an expert to examine the soldier then they would be seeking his co-operation for the examination to take place.

She also told the hearing in front of Judge Ian Huddleston that another Soldier identified as Soldier T may be medically exempt due to loss of memory. 

The inquest into the deaths began in April but was adjourned last month due to the fact that some of the preparatory work had not been carried out. 

The inquest is due to resume in November and is scheduled to last four weeks. 

Ms Doherty also told the hearing that three former soldiers identified as B, D and E were currently living abroad and efforts were being made to ascertain their willingness or otherwise to co-operate with the inquest. 

The barrister said that e-mails had been received from the former soldiers and they would be disclosed to all the properly interested parties in the hearing. 

Judge Huddleston said there would be another review hearing on June 27 and warned that if progress was not made by that date he would schedule review hearings through the summer. 

The hearing was adjourned until June 27.