THE FORMER chief constable of the RUC and the PSNI, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, may be called to give evidence at the inquest into the death of a former INLA and IRSP member who was crushed to death by a British army personnel carrier during disturbances in Derry almost 12 years ago.
Dermot McShane (36) of Hollymount Park, Derry, died in the early hours of July 13th, 1996, during rioting in the city which followed earlier disturbances at Orange Order parades at Garvaghy Road, Portadown, and at Drumcree.
The inquest is the first so-called "legacy inquest" to be heard in Northern Ireland dealing with controversial deaths during the Troubles.
The move follows a campaign by human rights organisations in the North to reopen a number of unresolved inquests, regarded until now as too politically sensitive to deal with.
Coroner Brian Sherrard told the jurors that they had to consider the general circumstances which pertained to Mr McShane's death.
These included what was happening in Derry at the time; if precautions could have been taken to prevent the death; the roles of Mr McShane and of the police and army; and whether there were any security force defects in dealing with the civil unrest at the time of Mr McShane's death.
Television footage of the army personnel carrier crashing into a large wooden hoarding which Mr McShane had been using as a shield during rioting in Little James Street was shown to the jury.
Barrister Fiona Doherty, appearing for Mr McShane's widow Theresa, told the coroner that in an interview with the Helsinki Human Rights Watch on November 24th, 1996, Sir Ronnie Flanagan allegedly referred to "specific intelligence" for what was planned for in Derry between July 11th and July 14th, 1996.
The coroner said Sir Ronnie "may be required to give evidence to clarify the matter".
The inquest resumes today.