McGuigan case adjourned again

David O'Leary • Published 6 Aug 2010 09:30 0 Comments

THE trial of a security guard, accused of murdering a Peebles man in Iraq, has been delayed for the fifth time, until September 15.

Former soldier Danny Fitzsimons, from Rochdale, is accused of shooting dead both Paul McGuigan and Australian Darren Hoare, who worked alongside him for security firm ArmorGroup.

The trial, initially scheduled for January in Baghdad, was due to begin on Wednesday August 4 after previously being adjourned to allow for the preparation of psychiatric reports.

Judge Ali Abbas al-Yousif, of the Baghdad central criminal court, has said that Fitzsimons is adjudged by doctors to be mentally normal and fit to stand trial.

But he also allowed an appeal by Mr Fitzsimons's lawyers for a second opinion, allowing a re-examination by a second panel of doctors.

Fitzsimons' defence team have said that at the time of the incident he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his experiences while serving in Kosovo with the British army.

He is accused of killing both men a year ago on August 9, 2009 after the group had been drinking in a bar in the city's international zone. He also wounded an interpreter as he tried to run away.

In the hours after the shooting, Fitzsimons signed a confession but later claimed that he could not remember that night.

Fitzsimons faces the death penalty, although his lawyers say it is likely for him to receive a sentence of life in prison.

Since the incident, ArmorGroup, have been criticised for employing Fitzsimons in Iraq as a military contractor without carrying out a full medical assessment.

If they had, they would have found out he was discharged from 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment after being diagnosed with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder.

He also had a drinking problem and was facing criminal charges for brandishing a flare gun at children outside his flat.

His family in the UK have called on the British Government to bring him back to face a trial under the UK judicial system.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 06 Aug 10

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