Soldier M tells Fleming and Doherty inquest 'had no real memory of the day'

The first military witness has given evidence to the inquest into the death of two Derry men shot dead by the SAS in the grounds of Gransha Hospital on December 6 1984.

Daniel Doherty (23) from Creggan and William Fleming (19) from the Waterside area of the city were shot dead on the morning of December 6 1984.

At today's hearing a witness known as Soldier M gave evidence after having been granted anonymity and screening by the Coroner Mr Justice Ian Huddleston. 

He said that he was a member of the Special Investigation Branch of the British Army Military Police. 

The witness in his statement said that he could 'vaguely recall the incident' in which Mr Doherty and Mr Fleming died.

He said he could recall there were 'two dead men and a motorbike'.

The former soldier explained his role was to investigate the role of military personnel in incidents such as a shooting but he stressed that any criminal investigation was left to the RUC. 

Soldier M said his recollection of the day in question came from reading a report he compiled in 1984 as he had no real memory of the day.

He accepted that his investigation in 1984 would have been 'limited' as it was designed solely for information for the army command.

The hearing continues.