Two Britons held after Iraq death

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fluffy

Longterm Registered User
Tragic circumstances -
A British contractor has been shot dead in Baghdad's Green Zone and two Britons have been arrested, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has said.
British company ArmorGroup Iraq said Paul McGuigan was killed on Sunday along with an Australian colleague, Darren Hoare.
An Iraqi military spokesman said the incident "started as a squabble". Iraqi police are investigating, the FCO said.
The Green Zone is a heavily protected region of Iraq's capital city.
The ArmorGroup Iraq spokesman said: "I can confirm the deaths of two ArmorGroup Iraq employees in the early hours of this morning in a firearms incident in the International Zone in Baghdad.
'Tragic circumstances'
"The two men were Paul McGuigan, a British national, and Darren Hoare, an Australian national. Their next of kin have been informed and we are supporting them as much as we can in these tragic circumstances.
"We are working closely with the Iraqi authorities to investigate the circumstances of their deaths."
The ArmorGroup Iraq spokesman described the firm as a "protective security company" that has been operating in Iraq since 2003.

It really does show you this is a high-stress, high-risk environment where violent things happen
BBC's Natalia Antelava
An Iraqi was also wounded in the shooting.
The BBC's Natalia Antelava in Baghdad said "it does seem to have been some sort of personal squabble", adding that the men were colleagues.
She said: "It [the Green Zone] is actually the safest place in Baghdad, it is a place that is very well protected, that us surrounded by checkpoints and big walls.
"It's a place where embassies are, where many international organisations operate from, where most foreigners live."
But she added: "It really does show you this is a high-stress, high-risk environment where violent things happen."
The Green Zone is the fortified area which houses the Iraqi government, coalition headquarters and most embassies.
In January Iraqi forces took over responsibility for the security of the zone which is a powerful symbol of the US-led occupation of Iraq.
 
I knew Paul and Daz. Such a shame. Met the ''suspect'' Killer as well in Thailand once... Lets just say i told my mucker to steer clear of him he didnt leave a good impression.. I will leave it there.

RIP lads.
 
I worked with Fitzy a while back (the accused) in Iraq, he lasted a few days before getting sacked for something very similar being only just averted. A very troubled bloke with some real anger management issues. My heart goes out to the families of Paul & Daz, this bloke should have been off the circuit years ago.
 
How did this idiot get a job with Armour group,questions need to be asked,I am out here in Iraq with lads who knew the accused & worked with him & nobody has a good word to say about him!
I knew Paul when I served with him on HMS CARDIFF(RM DETACHMENT)what a decent lad.I do not know the other lad but what a sad loss.All the incidents they would have seen in Baghdad,& this happens to them!
R.I.P.
 
I think it quite pertinent to highlight and remind all, that as this sight is open source, hence viewable by numerous media sources, members should refrain from giving their opinions which could inevitably lead to being misquoted.
It is a tragic incident for all concerned and a sad loss.
The site administration would do well to monitor all opinions and threads with regards to this incident to protect both members and the industry in which we work.
 
Blackstone said:
I think it quite pertinent to highlight and remind all, that as this sight is open source, hence viewable by numerous media sources, members should refrain from giving their opinions which could inevitably lead to being misquoted.
It is a tragic incident for all concerned and a sad loss.
The site administration would do well to monitor all opinions and threads with regards to this incident to protect both members and the industry in which we work.
Click to expand...

I agree in part; yes members should be mindful of the consequences that comments can have. However, insisting that the administrators be permitted to censor an open site is (in my humble opinion) pushing it a little far.

Every one is entitled to an opinion and unless that opinion is discriminatory, slanderous (potentialy lible as it is committed to a written medium) or an out right lie then why should it be removed or the individual punished.

So far the comments I have seen (including my own) have done nothing but to extend sympathy for the families of the unfortunate operators who have died in such unpleasant circumstances and to condemn the actions that led to thier demise. (granted this has also include a few "Character references")

But look at it this way, If Danny is responsible for this incident and is of the temprement that I and others have claimed, then who is at fault?

Is it the individual who (if what is reported is true) got into a drunken fight ending in gun fire. Or, is it the vastly unregulated industry that has allowed an individual with apparant anger and possibly drink problems to continue to work in this environment?

Granted my earlier comment was some what swift and off the cuff but there are wider issues here. Danny is an example of an operator every one on the HE circuit knows, we can all quote examples of unpredictable behaviour, violence, drunkenness or worse. He is not an isolated case.

The earlier question "how did he get a job with Armour" is well asked. Proper regulation (and not the farce of a system put in place by the Iraqi MOI) is what is needed to keep good operators in jobs and the liabilities at home on a sofa where they belong.

I truly hope for Danny that the new Iraqi administration sees this as an opportunity to join the civilised world and deal with this investigation openly and with professionalism. This will not only offer him a true chance at justice but the bereaved families the reassurance that any result is the correct one providing them with a chance to allow thier loved ones to rest in peace.
 
Mediiiic....well said!

I have to say though that this kind of activity has been going on for quite some time, although not to the extent that it has ended up in fatalities. I didn't know any of the deceased or indeed the person who killed them but have known other incidents where by this could have been the case. It was only a matter of time and unfortunately it has happened to not only a British company but also involves two British Operators.

You will never get the truth as to why the individual was employed by AG in the state that he was in. Good god these days, what with twitter, facebook and the likes, you can pretty much judge a character more than his CV but I would suggest that AG will certainly have questions to answer.

You could say that why wasn't his colleagues, team leader, country manager, project manager or whatever they are called these days aware of this man and his alleged difficulties, and if they were, why wasn't anything done.

The full truth of the Incident will no doubt come clear soon, and it will certainly be Interesting what AG have to say when the families of the deceased ask questions.

For now my thoughts go out to both the deceased and their families and hope that Companies out in HE's take a long hard look at the recruitment of individuals and company rules and regulations.
 
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