A computer simulation could help gain fresh clues about security force "shoot-to-kill" deaths in Northern Ireland, an inquest heard today.
Coroner John Leckey is seeking the reconstruction of the killing of two suspected republicans by police near Armagh almost 30 years ago. He also wants the high-tech recreation of the death of a Catholic teenager shot at a hay shed by police.
Mr Leckey told the Belfast inquest pre-hearing he had already contacted firearms expert Dr Graham Renshaw about the matter. “Dr Renshaw would like to hear from those at first-hand and also from the members of the security forces,” he said.
The British government has always denied any “shoot-to-kill” policy existed and resisted calls from families to look again at what happened.
Sir John Stalker, former deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, was brought in to investigate. He was later replaced by Colin Sampson, Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police.
Mr Leckey plans inquests into the deaths of teenager Michael Tighe, shot dead by the Royal Ulster Constabulary at a hay shed near Craigavon, Co Armagh, in November 1982, where rifles were stored, and suspected INLA men Roddy Carroll and Seamus Grew, shot dead near Armagh in December 1982.
Today’s inquest heard from a barrister for those killed that Martin McCauley, who lives in the Republic and was shot at the time of the death of Mr Tighe, was willing to co-operate with the hearing.
The permission of the owner of the hay shed is also to be sought and Dr Renshaw will need to examine all documents, photographs and maps.
PA