SAS men face trial over deaths of IRA suspects

THIRTEEN former SAS soldiers are facing possible criminal charges over an alleged ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy against the IRA 30 years ago, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Senior police officers are investigating claims that the elite troops executed terror suspects in cold blood in a series of carefully planned covert operations. A dossier of incidents will be presented at a legal hearing next month.

The bid to put the SAS troops in the dock over events of the 1980s and 1990s will be controversial as it follows assurances given to 200 suspected terrorists that they are immune from prosecution for their actions at the time.

SAS sources last night insisted the troops are innocent and opened fire to protect themselves.

The probe has been launched as part of a new inquest into the fatal shootings of two Republicans in Londonderry in December 1984.

Daniel Doherty, 23, and William Fleming, 19, were driving on a motorbike through the grounds of a hospital when an undercover SAS team launched a deadly ambush. Acting on intelligence that the pair were on a terrorist operation, one SAS soldier drove a car into the path of the bike, causing Doherty to swerve. Fleming fell from his seat and was shot by soldiers armed with pistols and a sub-machine gun.

Doherty was also shot at close range, suffering three wounds to the head and 21 to the body.

Both men were armed with pistols hidden in their clothing and were on what the IRA later described as an ‘active service mission’. Their intended target was an off-duty member of the Ulster Defence Regiment. Doherty and Fleming received full IRA military funerals.

Republican lawyers claim a senior British Army officer, codenamed Soldier H, led the operation and at least six other missions, leading to the deaths of 16 paramilitaries.

Fearghal Shiels, of Madden and Finucane Solicitors, said: ‘His planning of all of these operations shall be the focus of intense scrutiny.’ He added that other British soldiers would also be called to account.

Criminal charges, funded by legal aid, could follow, depending on the outcome of the inquest. A coroner has identified 13 SAS troops as part of his inquiry, and at a preliminary hearing last year was told that three had refused to give statements.

Last night, a former SAS member said the soldiers ‘fear they’ll become a target for every young dissident. And how come terrorists get letters saying they won’t be arrested while our troops get put through this?’

A Special Branch source added: ‘A whole industry has developed around legal aid, which does nothing except attack the record of the security forces. This is a massive lie.’

The MoD said: ‘We co-operate fully with inquests into all deaths in which military personnel are involved.’