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28 Dec 2025
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28 Dec 2025
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Danny Doherty, left, and William Fleming.
The inquest into the deaths of two Derry men shot dead by the SAS in 1984 has been told that at least 48 shots were fired by the British Army unit on the day.
William Fleming (19) from the Waterside area and Daniel Doherty (23) from Creggan died when they were shot by an SAS unit in the grounds of Gransha Hospital on December 6, 1984, as it was believed they were about to carry out an attack on an off duty member of the security forces.
Today two firearms and ballistic experts gave evidence.
Paul Olden for the Coroner and Mark Mastaglio for the next of kin gave joint evidence.
The experts said there was a 'significant numerical discrepancy' between the number of cartridges recovered and the ammunition count of the Soldier's weapons.
The court heard that 48 cartridges were recovered from four different weapons fired by Soldiers A, B and C but the ammunition count indicated that 60 shots were fired.
The experts the difference in the ammunition count amounted to 20% which they said was unusual.
In their report the experts said that three shots were fired by Soldier A rather than the 6 he claimed in his statement.
Soldier B had a rifle and a handgun and Soldier C a sub machine gun.
The experts said that evidence indicated that many of the wounds sustained by William Fleming indicated that he was shot while on the ground.
The court heard that he had wounds to his head and torso and the experts could not say when they were inflicted.
They did point out that a crash helmet attributed to William Fleming was not damaged suggesting he was not wearing it when shot.
As regards Daniel Doherty the experts said that evidence indicated he was shot from his right and behind with no wounds to his front.
Daniel Doherty had wounds to his head and the experts agreed that while his crash helmet was damaged it was damaged in such a way as to indicate he was wearing it properly.
Both Mr Olden and Mr Mastaglio agreed that there was no evidence either man was shot 'at close range' although Mr Mastaglio said he felt the placement of the cartridges suggested that the firer could have been closer to the body of William Fleming that was claimed.
It was agreed that two weapons recovered that were attributed to the deceased had not been fired.
The hearing continues.
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