Suspect Ex-Soldier Dies Before Child Death Trial

An investigation into the tragic death of an infant over three decades ago inside an army barracks will now falter with the sudden death of the man accused of the baby's killing.

The ex-soldier has died while awaiting trial for murdering the nine-month-old baby in 1966.

Harold Doyle, 62, who suffered a heart attack, was due to go on trial later this year accused of killing Lynda Cochrane at Ballykinlar Army Camp, near Newcastle, County Down.

An inquest at the time of Lynda's death took did take place, but Mr Doyle was only questioned again two years ago by police who reopened their inquiry.

It is believed the baby died after suffering a fractured skull and brain injuries and the now deceased ex soldier was formally charged with the child's murder last year.

However, Mr Doyle, who lived in a care home in England, recently protested his innocence in a newspaper interview.

"I am no child killer. I cared for baby Lynda - I am determined to clear my name," he told the Sunday Life last month.

He added: "I have nothing to hide. I have done absolutely nothing wrong. I cannot believe this is happening to me."

At the time of Lynda's death, Mr Doyle was a serving soldier with the King's Regiment.

Mr Doyle and Maureen Cochrane, the baby's mother, left Northern Ireland to live in England but later separated.

Ms Cochrane then died herself - in 1999 aged 53 - and she was buried in a family grave in Downpatrick, with her baby.

(BMcC)