Killer Cregan in NHS eye-op storm

Dale Cregan: losing sight in remaining eye

ONE-EYED murderer Dale Cregan is set to have a controversial NHS-funded operation to save the sight in his remaining eye.

The Chronicle understands Cregan, who lured PCs Nicola Hughes (23), of Diggle, and Fiona Bone (32) to their deaths in a horrifying gun and grenade attack in September 2012, has a serious condition which needs surgery to save his vision.

A source said: “The feeling among Greater Manchester Police is generally very negative towards Cregan for what he has done. But whatever the nature of the crimes he committed, he is entitled to the treatment whether anybody likes it or not.”

The decision to allow Cregan to have an operation on his eye is set to spark controversy across the country.

Cregan (30) was on the run when he lured Diggle constable Nicola Hughes and her colleague Fiona Bone with a bogus 999 burglary call in Hattersley on September 18, 2012.

A spokesman for NHS England in Greater Manchester confirmed prisoner medical care is funded by NHS England, but declined to comment on individual patients.”

Cregan once boasted to friends he lost an eye after being struck with a knuckle duster during a fight in Thailand. But a police source said Cregan has no marks or scars around his eye socket.

Cregan will spend the rest of his life behind bars for the ruthless murders of the two unarmed policewomen. He also killed David Short (46) in August 2012 after previously gunning down his son Mark (23) in a pub in Droylsden, three months before.

Following his incarceration, contracts were allegedly put out by the head of a crime family in the south offering £20,000 for the removal of his remaining eye.