Former soldier tells inquest he heard 'a flurry of shots' before deaths of two Derry men

A former soldier told the inquest into the deaths of two Derry men that he heard 'a flurry of shots' and then heard the words 'contact, contact' over his radio.

The former soldier identified as Soldier G was giving evidence to the inquest into the deaths 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.

He told the hearing that he had joined the British Army in 1966 and in 1974 or 1975 had joined the Special Military Unit and served five tours of duty in the North. 

On December 6 1984 he recalled a briefing and, said there was a RUC Special Branch officer present. 

Soldier G said he had no role in the planning of the actual operation but recalled he was parked near the entrance to Gransha Hospital. 

The former soldier said he was looking out for a motorbike but couldn't recall if he saw one. 

He then said he heard the shots and 'radio chatter' and took it there had been contact between his unit and gunmen.

The witness said he was not asked to speak to the RUC following the incident.

It was put to the witness the statements of Soldier H the officer in command of the SMU who outlined three options in this operation to prevent the shooting of an off duty member of the security forces. 

These were, swamp the area which would deter the shooting but it was felt the gunmen could return another day.

Secondly, try and drive the gunmen into a RUC checkpoint but it was felt there could be a scout car. 

Finally, the option was to carry out 'a hard arrest'.

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

The witness said he had no knowledge of those plans.

It was suggested to Soldier G that he was the author of a manuscript that had been given to the Coroner referring to various incidents involving the SMU including other killings. 

When he was asked directly if he was the author he declined to answer on the grounds he could incriminate himself. 

A legal argument then ensued about the question of privilege and what the witness could or could not answer.

The former soldier then faced some questions based on this manuscript.

He was asked about a portion of the manuscript where it referred to the SMU getting 'a respectable score in relation to dead terrorists'.

He said he could not recall that.

He was also asked about another portion of the manuscript that referred to the SMU getting the opportunity 'to even the score' with an operation in Derry after the unit had lost some men.

Shooting of two Derry IRA men was a 'a fast and fluid situation' - Inquest told

When asked about that idea he said 'never'.

He was also asked about various portions of the document that referred to the operation at Gransha Hospital and answered he could not recall these details. 

The hearing continues.