Objectives

DPP recalls deadly attack on bar
DIRECTOR of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. Denis Hanomansngh was yesterday still trying to come to grips with the "scare of his life" on Wednesday night.

Hanomansingh was among several persons wounded when gunmen opened fire on patrons at the `Nathoo' bar, Lamaha and Pike Streets, Kitty, Georgetown, around 18:45 hrs.

The DPP who was wounded in the shoulder, but has not been hospitalised, told the Chronicle that he lived through scary times in Northern Ireland as a student "but nothing has scared me more than last night (Wednesday night)."

He said he had gone home during the afternoon with the intention of exercising on his treadmill, but found there was an electricity blackout.

He said he subsequently left home about 17:00 hrs for the bar to "pass the time away gaffing, until I suspect the electricity had returned."

He remembered standing behind the counter, facing the roadway and chatting with deceased Gavin Narine when he observed a man walk into the bar and immediately open fire.

Hanomansingh said his immediate reaction on hearing the first volley was to hit the ground where he remained until the shooting subsided.

He said he then overheard Policeman Corporal Balram asking "Barran, yuh alright?" and it was only then that he got up.

The DPP said that as he came out of the bar and around to the customer area, "all I saw were bodies and blood everywhere."

He remembered that in addition Narine, another of the dead men Lloyd Singh, and Beharry Dookie, also called ` Nathoo', the proprietor, were with others in the customer area.

The DPP said he and Nathoo were transported by friends to St Joseph's Mercy Hospital where he received medical attention and was sent away.

Hanomansingh said that about four weeks ago, he was advised by a lawyer to be "careful" as he had received information from a client that the DPP was reportedly on the "hit list".

The DPP said he had requested a Tactical Services Unit (TSC) guard but was told none was available.

He reiterated that as a result of Wednesday night's narrow escape, he feels his life is even more threatened adding, the "fear is still there".

Asked if he would accept security if his request is reviewed, the DPP said, "if they offer, I will accept."

On whether he had recruited Trinidad Senior Counsel, Rangee Dolsingh to function as Lead Prosecutor in the ongoing Mark Benschop/Phillip Bynoe treason case being heard before Magistrate Chandra Sohan, the DPP said after the charge was instituted he "has not intervened, nor hired any prosecutor...none was hired by the DPP."

According to him, a formal request was made to the DPP's office regarding having people to prosecute and the request was granted.

Hanomansingh pointed out that such a request is a norm as no expense is incurred to the DPP's office.

Trinidadian Special Prosecutor could have been in bar with DPP
TRINIDADIAN-born Senior Counsel, Rangee Dolsingh, the Special Prosecutor recruited to lead the State's case in the ongoing historic treason case here, considers himself lucky to have escaped being a likely victim in Wednesday night's attack in Georgetown.

"I have been to Guyana many times...I would have been in Guyana now, maybe at the same location, but by God's grace I got away," Dolsingh told the Chronicle yesterday.

He explained that he was due in Guyana last week and most likely may have been at the same location with local Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Denis Hanomansingh.

In a brutal attack early Wednesday night, four persons were killed and at least 10 wounded, among them, Hanomansingh, at Nathoo's Bar at Pike and Lamaha Streets, Kitty.

The DPP was rushed to a city hospital after being shot in the shoulder, but his injury was not considered life-threatening. He was treated and released.

Dolsingh said he was approached indirectly and accepted an offer to lead the prosecution's case in the treason trial involving Mark Benschop and wanted fugitive Phillip Bynoe.

He was scheduled to be here in the last week but was suffering from chest pains and had to be hospitalised.

And when made fresh arrangements were made for him to arrive in the country for the start of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) on Monday, he contracted a viral infection and on the advice of his doctor, again had to delay his travel.

The British-trained, former Deputy Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Trinidad who went into pre-retirement about a week ago, said he is not deterred by Wednesday night's attack providing his security is guaranteed .

Reached by the Chronicle in Trinidad, Dolsingh said, "I am not deterred, providing my security is guaranteed. I see my participation in the case as a challenge and nothing will hinder me seeing that justice is done, one way or the other, for the State or the accused. I have to act as the man of justice."

The Senior Counsel, who said he has applied to the Trinidad Government for permission to practice during his pre-retirement, said he accepted the challenge because he is confident that with him being "civic, independent, non-political, non-racial and with an independent mind, (he) will see justice is done and not pursue anyone."

"When I accepted the job I thought that as an outsider I would not be molested."

He noted too, that his plan to travel secretly to Guyana last weekend was blown when a Trinidad newspaper reported that he had arrived in this country since Sunday.

Remarking that he has been apprised of the alleged threats made against Chief Magistrate, Juliet Holder-Allen's life, Dolsingh declared, "chances are I may have been at the same location with the DPP".

It was on this note the Trinidadian Senior Counsel posited, "I am not deterred in any way, provided my security is guaranteed...."

Dolsingh says he hopes to be in the country in another four to five days, adding, "I would allow things to settle first."

The Senior Counsel recalled that in 1998 he appeared against Attorney General Doodnauth Singh in an extradition case involving Guyanese seaman, Allan Henry, who had killed a British national on a yacht in Trinidad.

Henry, Dolsingh said, was nabbed at Wakenaam island, in Essequibo and he, representing the State of Trinidad, was successful in having the fugitive extradited to Trinidad where he was subsequently tried, convicted and sentenced to death.

However, after being on death row for five years awaiting execution, the Trinidad Government commuted Henry's death sentence to one of life imprisonment.

BACK