FORMER British soldier Dennis Hutchings has died, it has been confirmed, just hours after his trial over a Troubles shooting was adjourned because he had contracted Covid-19.
The 80-year-old had been accused of the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham in Co Tyrone in 1974.
Mr Cunningham (27) was shot dead as he ran away from an army patrol across a field near Benburb.
Mr Hutchings, a former member of the Life Guards regiment, from Cawsand in Cornwall, also denied a count of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.
He had been suffering from an incurable chronic kidney disease and his Belfast Crown Court trial had been sitting only three days a week to enable him to undergo dialysis treatment between hearings.
Protesters opposed to his prosecution had gathered outside the court during the trial.
A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement last night confirmed his death in the Mater Hospital in Belfast.
“It is with deep regret and with the permission of his son John Hutchings that we sadly report that our brave friend Regimental Corporal Major Dennis Hutchings passed away in the Mater hospital this evening.”
DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson said in a tweet it was "desperately sad news" and there were “serious questions” to be answered.
“We have said all along that Dennis should never have been brought to trial again, not least because of his health but also a lack of compelling new evidence.
“There are serious questions to answer here.”
The family of Mr Cunningham were informed of Mr Hutchings’s death by the PSNI through a victims’ group.
Earlier, defence barrister James Lewis had told Mr Justice O’Hara in court that Mr Hutchings’s Covid infection had been confirmed by a PCR test on Saturday.
“I regret Mr Hutchings is not well with regard as one would expect with his other comorbidities of renal failure and cardiac malfunction.
“And we are unable to presently take instructions as he is currently in isolation in his hotel room.”
Mr Lewis applied for an adjournment which was not opposed by the prosecuting barrister.
Mr Justice O’Hara adjourned the non-jury trial until November 8.