Angry end to Derry inquest follows violent scenes Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source:IRSP Angry End to Derry Inquest Follows Violent Scenes An inquest into the killing of Strabane INLA (Irish National Liberation Army) man Alex Patterson by British soldiers in November 12, 1990 has ended today with no finding. It is believed to be the first time a judgement of "no finding" has been returned in a shoot-to-kill inquest. After two hours, the 11-strong jury of six men and five women submitted a unanimous verdict, only to have the Judge declare them unable to agree on a verdict! Bringing the inquest to an end, the coroner infuriated the Patterson family by ordering the jury's report to be withheld from them. On Monday, batons were the order of the day as the RUC cleared the public from Derry courthouse on the first day of the inquest. The RUC struck out viciously with batons as screens were being erected to hide the identity of a number of British soldiers due to give evidence to the inquest. On the second day of the inquest the commander of the undercover unit, known as 'Soldier A', would admit that there was no warning given and that no medical help was sent for after his unit opened fire hitting Patterson. He also confirmed seeing large a exit wound to the rear of Pattersons head afterwards. The hidden nature of this inquest was further revealed after Coroner Ronnie O'Doherty announced that he had granted British Defence minister, Labour's George Robinson, a Public Interest Immunity Certificate to hide the identities of those involved in the killing. This has effectively gagged any serious investigation into Patterson's death. After the RUC attack a member of the Irish Republican Socialist Party's Ard Comhairle (national executive) , Willie Gallagher, was handcuffed and led away to the courts cells. Around twelve others were ordered out before proceedings resumed under the scrutiny of observers from Amnesty International and the Committee for the Administration of Justice. They have responded to the Patterson families concerns that the 31 year old father of four was the victim of a shoot-to-kill operation by either the SAS or another British covert regiment. In a statement from 'Soldier D' which was read by an RUC member, 'D' admitted opening fire on a car from a concealed position; the front bedroom of a house in Victoria Bridge belonging to a member of the locally-recruited British Army. He said another 10 soldiers were positioned around the bungalow. He said that after an initial burst of gunfire came from a passing car he, along with others opened fire. As the car crashed he heard another soldier shout 'there's a runner'. However as 'D' approached the vehicle he saw someone moving and again opened fire. Pathologist Dr Jack Crane later told the inquest that Patterson, whose body was found in the car, had died from a single high-velocity bullet wound to the head, entering from the left nostril and exiting behind the left ear. This suggests a close quarters coup-de-grace type shot, favoured by the SAS. After Martin McCann, barrister for the Patterson family asked had 'soldier D' been aware of the inquest's time and location the RUC member affirmed he was. Questioned further it emerged that 'soldier D' had only made a statement two years after the shooting and after being assured that no criminal proceedings would be brought against him. The Patterson family today made it clear they will pursue the case until justice is served. ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytire-10.26.97-11:01:46-454