15 January 1998 Edition
Patterson cover-up continues
by Laura Friel
Evidence which suggested Alex Patterson was summarily executed after being captured by the SAS split an inquest jury, it was revealed in a Belfast High Court this week. Last October, Derry Coroner Ronnie O'Doherty sacked the jury and refused to disclose their finding after the inquest heard evidence directly contradicting the British army's account. The jury's decision was only revealed last week after the Patterson family sought a judicial review of the coroner's actions.
High Court Judge Nicholson rejected the family's petition but during the hearing disclosed the contents of the inquest jury's decision. Crucially, the note revealed that jurors had been unable to agree where the victim was when he was shot dead. Evidence at the inquest suggested Patterson was not killed as the SAS gave chase to the INLA men's getaway car but after he had left the vehicle. Forensic tests suggested the weapon used by the INLA had jammed prior to their interception by the SAS. Further evidence suggested Patterson may have been captured and summarily executed by the SAS.
*British soldier `D', in a written statement presented during the inquest, claimed he fired the fatal shot at ``a figure inside the car'' yet the spent case of the bullet was found nearly 100 yards away from where the soldier claimed the shot was fired.
*Patterson's body was `found' across the driver's seat inside the car, yet according to Gerry McGarrigle, a second INLA member currently imprisoned for his involvement in the incident, both men escaped from the car.
*A local resident, Mary Corry, who heard the shooting, said she heard someone crying amid angry English voices prior to the last gunshot. Corry's evidence also suggested there was a significant time lapse between the first and final burst of gunfire.
At the High Court, Judge Nicholson ruled the coroner had exercised his discretion properly when he dismissed the jury. The judge said the coroner was now obliged to hold a further inquest. A second inquest could be avoided, the judge said, if the Patterson family accepted Crown force claims that the victim had been shot dead while in the car. The evidence pointed to that fact, claimed the judge.
Evidence which suggested Alex Patterson was summarily executed after being captured by the SAS split an inquest jury, it was revealed in a Belfast High Court this week. Last October, Derry Coroner Ronnie O'Doherty sacked the jury and refused to disclose their finding after the inquest heard evidence directly contradicting the British army's account. The jury's decision was only revealed last week after the Patterson family sought a judicial review of the coroner's actions.
High Court Judge Nicholson rejected the family's petition but during the hearing disclosed the contents of the inquest jury's decision. Crucially, the note revealed that jurors had been unable to agree where the victim was when he was shot dead. Evidence at the inquest suggested Patterson was not killed as the SAS gave chase to the INLA men's getaway car but after he had left the vehicle. Forensic tests suggested the weapon used by the INLA had jammed prior to their interception by the SAS. Further evidence suggested Patterson may have been captured and summarily executed by the SAS.
*British soldier `D', in a written statement presented during the inquest, claimed he fired the fatal shot at ``a figure inside the car'' yet the spent case of the bullet was found nearly 100 yards away from where the soldier claimed the shot was fired.
*Patterson's body was `found' across the driver's seat inside the car, yet according to Gerry McGarrigle, a second INLA member currently imprisoned for his involvement in the incident, both men escaped from the car.
*A local resident, Mary Corry, who heard the shooting, said she heard someone crying amid angry English voices prior to the last gunshot. Corry's evidence also suggested there was a significant time lapse between the first and final burst of gunfire.
At the High Court, Judge Nicholson ruled the coroner had exercised his discretion properly when he dismissed the jury. The judge said the coroner was now obliged to hold a further inquest. A second inquest could be avoided, the judge said, if the Patterson family accepted Crown force claims that the victim had been shot dead while in the car. The evidence pointed to that fact, claimed the judge.