The decision to prosecute a former soldier over a fatal shooting during Northern Ireland’s Troubles was in the public interest, prosecutors have said.
Dennis Hutchings, 80, from Cawsand in Cornwall, died in Belfast on Monday.
He had denied attempting to murder and cause grievous bodily harm to John Pat Cunningham.
The Cunningham family said they “wish to acknowledge that this is a difficult time for his family and they should be given time to grieve”.
Mr Cunningham, 27, was shot in the back as he ran from an Army patrol near Benburb, County Tyrone, in 1974.
“When the time is judged appropriate, the family will respond in more detail to the issues surrounding the prosecution of Dennis Hutchings,” they said in a statement.
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Dennis Hutchings Wiki/Biography
| Dennis Hutchings | Wiki/Bio |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Dennis Hutchings |
| Nick Name | Dennis |
| Age | 80-yrs old (As of 2021) |
| Birthday | 1941 |
| Famous As | Politician |
| Birthplace | USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height | approx 5 feet 8 inches |
| Weight | approx 85 Kg |
| Shoe Size | 17.5 (US) |
| Dating | Single |
| Spouse | No |
| Net Worth | $22 million |
Some Facts about Dennis Hutchings
The British Army veteran who was on trial died in hospital on Monday after contracting Covid-19.
The Public Prosecution Service has issued a statement on Tuesday after the death of former soldier Dennis Hutchings.
The British Army veteran was on trial in Belfast over a shooting during the Troubles and died in hospital on Monday after contracting Covid -19.
The 80-year-old had pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham in Co Tyrone in 1974. He also denied a count of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.
Mr Cunningham, a 27-year-old man with learning difficulties, was shot dead as he ran away from an Army patrol near Benburb.
The PPS said the decision to prosecute Mr Hutchings for attempted murder was taken “after an impartial and independent application of the Test for Prosecution”.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Michael Agnew said: “The Public Prosecution Service commenced proceedings against Dennis Hutchings in 2015 in connection with the 1974 death of John Pat Cunningham after a careful consideration of a wide range of issues, including the strength of evidence against him and the relevant public interest considerations. The case had been reviewed following a referral to the PPS by the Attorney General, which led to a subsequent PSNI investigation following which Mr Hutchings was charged by police.
“The PPS decision to prosecute Mr Hutchings for attempted murder was taken after an impartial and independent application of the Test for Prosecution. The Test for Prosecution requires a consideration of whether the available evidence provides a reasonable prospect of conviction and, if it does, whether prosecution is in the public interest.
