‘Anti-Christ’ claim of killer ex-soldier

KILLER . . . Danny Fitzsimons

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A FORMER paratrooper who shot dead two fellow security guards claimed he was “the Anti-Christ”, an inquest has heard.

Danny Fitzsimons, from Middleton, was spared a death sentence and is currently serving 20 years in an Iraqi jail after killing Paul McGuigan and another man in 2009.

Fitzsimons opened fire on Mr McGuigan, from Droylsden, and Australian Darren Hoare while all three were working for G4S on a private security contract after an alleged drunken brawl in the international zone of Baghdad.

During yesterday’s inquest into the death of father-of-two Mr McGuigan, extracts from Fitzsimons writings included: “I am the Anti-Christ. I will continue to satisfy my blood lust and my need to take life. Any chance I get to do someone in, I will take it — but only if they deserve it.”

A psychiatrist who assessed Fitzsimons in Salford in 2008, revealed the contents of the papers, which had been passed to him by court officials.

Fitzsimons, a former pupil at Our Lady’s School, Royton, said the passages were part of a work of fiction based on his military experiences.

But Dr Mark Swinton said he was “not wholly convinced” by the explanation and that it was more likely he believed what he wrote at that time.

He told the hearing in Stockport there was no evidence then that he was suffering severe mental illness.

The inquest, which began last September was adjourned after it was revealed Fitzsimons was on hunger strike. When resumed it is expected to last around two weeks.