Hearing into death of Derry man shot dead by the Real IRA in 'a much stronger position'
Coroner Brian Sherrard was chairing a preliminary hearing into the death of Kieran Doherty (32) from Coshowen who was found shot dead on the Braehead Road in Derry on February 24, 2010
The Coroner in the hearing into the death of a Derry man shot dead by the Real IRA in 2010 has said that they are in 'a much stronger position' than they had been to advance the inquiry.
Coroner Brian Sherrard was chairing a preliminary hearing into the death of Kieran Doherty (32) from Coshowen who was found shot dead on the Braehead Road in Derry on February 24, 2010.
His death was claimed by the Real IRA who made allegations against the dead man.
Earlier hearings had been told that a request had been made to the Chief State Solicitor's Office in the Republic for any material the Gardai may have on the case.
At today's hearing Ian Skelt KC counsel to the Coroner said that the authorities in the Republic had communicated that the process of searching for the materials had been completed.
These materials were now being reviewed before being communicated to the Coroner's office.
Mr Skelt said that this should allow the matter to advance and once the material was received it would have to be examined to see if there were any issues with identification and the like.
Coroner Sherrard said that once the material was transmitted from the Southern authorities he would have to give the PSNI and other interested parties an opportunity to examine it for cross reference purposes.
The Coroner said that the hearing had 'made good progress' and there was 'light at the end of the tunnel'.
He proposed another hearing in four weeks time to assess progress.
The hearing was adjourned until October 10.