Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Thursday 13°CFriday 13°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
CourtsDerry CityLawNews

Families of IRA men raise concern over inquest disclosure delays

September 16, 2022
ShareTweet

IRA men Danny Doherty and William Fleming shot dead by SAS in Derry in 1984

Families of two IRA men shot dead by the SAS in Derry have expressed concern that a timeline has slipped for disclosing sensitive state files ahead of an inquest.

Danny Doherty, aged 23, and William Fleming, who was 19, were killed by soldiers in the grounds of Gransha Hospital in 1984.

It has been alleged the republicans, who were from Derry, were planning to attack an off-duty member of the UDR when the SAS ambushed them, firing almost 60 shots.

A six-week inquest into the killings is due to begin next April.

It has been scheduled amid continued uncertainty over whether some outstanding inquests may not get the chance to be heard due to planned Government laws intended to prevent future legacy probes.

The PSNI and Ministry of Defence are in the process of examining sensitive documents ahead of an anticipated Public Interest Immunity (PII) hearing to consider whether certain materials should be withheld from the inquest on national security grounds.

The PSNI previously signalled it would have completed the required preparatory work for a PII hearing by mid-September.

At a preliminary inquest hearing in Belfast on Friday, a barrister for the PSNI told coroner Mr Justice Ian Huddleston that timeline had not been met.

Mark Robinson KC cited increased demands on personnel dealing with legacy inquests.

“These matters can take time simply because of the complexities of the material involved,” he said.

Peter Coll KC, representing the MoD, also told the court that more work was required on the PII preparatory process.

He compared it to at times “wading through treacle”.

Both the PSNI and MoD barristers expressed confidence that the start date for the inquest could still be met.

The coroner replied: “For reasons I need not rehearse it’s important that that remains the position.”

The Government is currently putting controversial legacy laws through Parliament.

The draft legislation would offer immunity from prosecution for people accused of Troubles offences, as long as they cooperate with a new truth recovery body, and also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict.

The Coroners’ Court in Northern Ireland is working its way through a schedule of legacy inquests related to the Troubles, some covering incidents from 50 years ago.

While many of the inquests have concluded, several have yet to begin.

A barrister for the next of kin of the two men, Leona Askin, said the families were “very concerned” at the prospect of delay.

Guns and other items recovered from the scene of the shootings in 1984

“We’re concerned about delay and would ask that your lordship would put in place a strict timetable that these matters be complied with,” she said to the coroner.

Justice Huddleston said he intended to schedule more regular review hearings to monitor progress of the disclosure process.

“I am not enthused by the timetable we have discussed this morning,” he added.

The next hearing was listed for Friday, October 14.

Families of IRA men raise concern over inquest disclosure delays was last modified: September 21st, 2022 by cassoscoop

Tags:
coroner Mr Justice Ian HuddlestonDanny DohertDerry CityFamilies of IRA men raise concern over inquest disclosure delaysGransha Hospitaliraoff duty UDR mansasWILLIAM FLEMING
ShareTweet

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Major investment in Capital Projects approved by...

13 hours ago

Mayor looking forward to All Ireland Pipe-Band...

13 hours ago

Mayor hosts Guardian of the Sperrins event

19 hours ago

Durkan calls for urgent traffic calming measures...

19 hours ago

Harkin: Stormont Executive must act now to...

19 hours ago

Harkin: MPs must vote down punitive welfare...

2 days ago

Mayor welcomes first cohort of Medical School...

2 days ago

Eastwood to oppose British Government’s disability cuts

2 days ago

Mayor announces charities of the year and...

2 days ago

Two males arrested over vehicle crime incidents...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Former Derry coach Rory Gallagher launches High Court action against GAA

    July 1, 2025
  • Derry man jailed over house burglary offences

    June 26, 2025
  • Woman charged to Derry court over shop robbery

    June 25, 2025
  • Killer Hazel Stewart loses appeal over ‘cruel’ double Co Derry murders

    June 25, 2025
  • Dosey Derry rally fan to donate €275 to hospice after THIRD street sleep

    June 25, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy