Film of abduction of soldiers later shot by IRA shown in court

GRAPHIC film of the events leading to the murder of two British army corporals in Belfast in 1988 was shown again in court yesterday…

GRAPHIC film of the events leading to the murder of two British army corporals in Belfast in 1988 was shown again in court yesterday.

The two soldiers - Derek Woods and David Howes - were seen being dragged from their car and taken into Casement Park where they were beaten and stripped before being taken away and shot by the IRA.

The film is part of the prosecution case against Patrick Kane (39), from Andersonstown, who is serving a life sentence for aiding and abetting in the murders.

His case was referred back to the Court of Appeal after campaigners raised doubts about his confession statement as he has the mental age of a child.

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Kane was convicted along with Sean Kelly and Michael Timmons. They became known as the "Casement three" because it was alleged they were in the sports ground when the soldiers were beaten and interrogated.

In his closing submissions yesterday, Kane's lawyer, Mr Peter Thornton QC, argued that as the Crown had never alleged he was a party to the shooting, he should not have been charged with aiding and abetting, much less convicted.

Mr Ronald Appleton QC, for the Crown, claimed Kane had foresight of intended killing. He lent his support to that and thereby authorised the killing which made him guilty in law.

The hearing continues today when the court will be shown more of the film taken by TV cameramen and the British army's footage from a helicopter.