Army base baby death suspect dies

An ex-soldier has died while awaiting trial for murdering a nine-month-old baby at an army base in 1966.

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

It is believed he suffered a heart attack.

Although there had been an inquest at the time of Lynda's death, Mr Doyle was only questioned again two years ago by police who had reopened their inquiry.

He was formally charged with murder last year.

It is believed the baby died after suffering a fractured skull and brain injuries.

'Nothing to hide'

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 died in 1999 aged 53, and mother and baby are buried in a family grave in Downpatrick.