Intention was to arrest two Derry men subsequently shot dead by SAS - Inquest told

A former member of the Special Military Unit (SMU) has said as far as he was aware the intention was to try and arrest two Derry men who were subsequently shot dead by the British Army. 

The witness known as Soldier R was giving evidence at the inquest of William Fleming (19) from the Waterside and Daniel Doherty (23) from Creggan who were shot dead by the SAS in the grounds of Gransha Hospital on December 6 1984.

The witness said his role was mobile surveillance on December 6 1984.

He told the hearing that he could not really recollect the events of that day but said that there would have been a briefing either the night before or in the early hours of December 6.

He told the Coroner, Mr Justice Ian Huddleston, that as far as he was aware there were around six members of the SMU involved in the operation.

The witness was asked had there been any reconnaissance of the grounds of Gransha Hospital and he said he had not carried out any nor was he aware of anyone else doing it.

Soldier R said that the intelligence indicated that the Provisional IRA were going to attack an off duty member of the security forces with a bus stop being the most likely sight for the attack.

He was asked about an extract of another soldier's statement that talked about leaving 'bodies in the street'  during operations involving the SMU and said that did not accord with his recollection.

The witness said that it was intended that the RUC could catch the gunmen as they approached their target.

On the morning of December 6 the witness said he was in a vehicle on his own but added he did not see the motorbike.

He said he passed the entrance to Gransha Hospital and turned down a lane nearby.

Soldier R said he did not recall hearing shots fired but said he would have been aware that an incident had taken place but believed that that would have been due to radio transmissions.

The inquest continues.