A coronial inquiry into the death of Corporal Douglas Hughes (above) would not be in the overall interests of justice, says the Deputy Solicitor-General.
A grieving mother's request to learn what happened to her soldier son when he died while serving with the New Zealand Army in Afghanistan has been turned down.
A coronial inquiry into the death of Corporal Douglas Hughes, 26, of Kaikohe, on April 3 last year would not be in
the overall interests of justice, Deputy Solicitor-General Cheryl Gwyn says. She found no irregularity in Coroner Gordon Matenga adjourning an inquest into the rifleman's death because he was satisfied with the outcome of a NZ Defence Force Court of Inquiry into the matter.
Mr Matenga found Corporal Hughes' death was suicide and publication of all evidence about it, including the report of the Court of Inquiry, was prohibited.
Corporal Hughes died in hospital following an undisclosed non-combat incident while off duty. His body was returned to New Zealand for burial with full military ceremony at Pakotai, 50km northwest of Whangarei.
Corporal Hughes' mother, Venus Poa, of Pakotai, was distressed when told in February no coronial inquiry would take place. She was further upset because the Army told her it had burned her son's clothes and shredded mortuary records she had requested.
