Soldier accused of murdering comrade 'concealed truth', court hears

Lance Corporal Richard Farrell, who denies murdering fellow member of The Royal Irish Regiment Corporal Geoffrey McNeill, had hidden a "concealed truth" according to Christopher Hotten QC, prosecuting.

In closing remarks yesterday at Birmingham Crown Court, Mr Hotten said it was the prosecution case Farrell not only bore the legal responsibility for Cpl McNeill's death but "the moral responsibility" for the death of another soldier who hanged himself, in part over unanswered fears he had in fact been the one who killed his close friend.

Both men had been out drinking heavily on a night in the nearby town of Market Drayton, which ended with Cpl McNeill, of Ballymoney, Northern Ireland, flooring 23-year-old Farrell with a right hook after claiming he had been "trapping off".

Farrell, a veteran of Afghanistan, woke up in the guardroom of Clive Barracks in Tern Hill, Shropshire, later on the morning of March 8, claiming he recalled nothing of the previous evening's events after he was punched.

Earlier in the trial, the prosecution detailed how Cpl McNeill, also an Afghanistan battle veteran, sustained "heavy blows" including to his testicles.

Farrell, of Dublin, had previously told how he had discovered McNeill's body in his room later that morning, attempting to revive the 32-year-old before raising the alarm.

He also told how he "grabbed his (Cpl McNeill's) testicles" in order to test the older man's consciousness and was "90 per cent" sure that he had been taught this on at Army medical course at Otterburn, in Northumberland.

A soldier who had come through basic training with L/Cpl Farrell, describing him as a friend, told how he had also learned the same technique.

He said medics taught them to assess a battle casualties' level of awareness using a system of checks, including "pinching the septum, the earlobe, the neck, and even if it comes to it - the nipples".

"You may also check the inside of the legs and testicles," he added.

Stephen Linehan QC, defence counsel, asked: "Had you been taught that then?", to which the soldier replied "Yes".

However, Mr Hotten asked the soldier under cross examination whether he was sure he had ever learned such a technique on the Army's combat medic course.

When the soldier replied: "Yes", the prosecutor said: "That's a lie, isn't it?"

Mr Hotten added: "I am suggesting to you that's not true."

But the soldier responded: "No, I am suggesting to you it's the truth."

Mr Hotten also established the man had visited Farrell in jail once already, while the young lance corporal was awaiting his trial.

The jury then heard from an Army medical trainer - a man whom Farrell had previously referenced in evidence as having taught him to check the testicles of an injured comrade.

The soldier, a serving sergeant, said he had read press coverage of the trial, reporting what Farrell had stated with "disbelief, as this is not taught".

He added that certain techniques were taught, but others were "deemed overkill" and "inappropriate".

Asked specifically by Mr Hotten: "Have you ever taught it's appropriate to poke an eye or testicles?", he replied: "No".

Proceedings were adjourned for the day with the defence to set out its closing remarks on Monday.