INQUEST: Coroner 'determined' to move to the hearing of two Derry men shot dead by the SAS
Derry IRA members William Fleming and Danny Doherty were shot dead in the grounds of Gransha Hospital in December 1984
The Coroner in the inquest into the deaths of two Derry men shot dead by the SAS in the grounds of Gransha Hospital on December 6 1984 has said he is 'determined' to move the hearing forward so it can resume on November 6.
The Coroner, Mr Justice Ian Huddleston, was speaking at a review hearing into the deaths of William Fleming (19) from the Waterside and Danny Doherty (23) from the Creggan area.
The inquest proper had started in April of this year but had to be adjourned due to the number of unresolved issues.
At today's hearing the Coroner said that a lot of issues seemed to be 'dragging on'.
He said: "When I adjourned it was to deal with these issues but there seems to have been very little movement '.
The hearing heard that there was still no clarity around the participation of some of the military witnesses with a barrister for one potential witness identified as Soldier G saying they needed to consult with their client further.
Counsel to the Coroner Fiona Doherty KC told the hearing that seven potential witnesses from the DMSU had replied and are seeking representation before the inquest.
The hearing was also told that two military witnesses who were seeking medical exemption, Soldiers A and S, had yet to be examined by a doctor appointed by the Coroner.
Soldier A is seen as a vital witness as he was the soldier who rammed the motorcycle the dead men were on and fired some of the shots.
Mark Mulholland KC representing the soldiers said such was their mental state that someone would have to speak to them in person to explain what was going on.
The barrister said that this 'can't be done over a phone call' and as such presented a logistical problem.
He told the hearing this should be done by the middle of July with the doctor's appointment with them scheduled for the start of August.
The court was also given an update on 4 other military witnesses Soldiers B, D, E and C with the hearing being told that Soldier C was dead and that B, D and E were out of the jurisdiction and they were 'not willing to cooperate.'
The Coroner said he wanted most of the outstanding issues resolved by the end of July.
Another hearing will take place in August.