Former RUC Chief Inspector tells William Fleming and Daniel Doherty inquest that did not discuss the incident with ex-colleagues

A former RUC Chief Inspector told the inquest into the deaths of two Derry men shot dead by the SAS in 1984 that he had not discussed the incident with his ex-colleagues.

The former RUC man who was in charge of the DMSU on December 6 1984 was giving evidence for the second occasion to the resumed inquest into the deaths of William Fleming (19) from the Waterside and Daniel Doherty (23) from Creggan who were shot dead in the grounds of Gransha Hospital on December 6, 1984.

The witness was asked by Desmond Hutton KC, representing the Fleming family, if he had discussed the incident with former colleagues. 

He said that he could not recall having done so. 

He was asked about one particular former member of his DMSU unit, a female officer, who he said he had not had contact with for years and it was put to him he had contacted her in September.

When asked why he had contacted this officer the witness said he did not know who contacted who first but they had 'a conversation about the stress I was being put under and she was being put under in relation to this inquest.'

The former RUC officer said he could not recall who contacted who despite it being a relatively short time ago. 

Mr Hutton also put it to the witness that he was being 'less than truthful' in his original statement relating to this incident when he said that he had gone to Gransha Hospital after a transmission from RUC station at Strand Road.

The barrister said that the witness had neglected to say that he had a military liason officer with him in his vehicle and he had gone to the hospital after being told to do so by this man. 

The witness maintained that there had been several transmissions and he was not sure which came first. 

The witness also denied that there was any attempt to cover up the fact that this was 'a pre-planned military/police operation'.

Mr Hutton suggested to the witness that his statement tried to make it appear that it was 'a coincidence' his unit was in the vicinity of Maydown on the morning of December 6.

Thus was denied by the witness. 

The hearing continues.