Inquiry hears of IRA man's claims

Inquiry is hearing evidence at Londonderry's Guildhall

A journalist has told the Bloody Sunday inquiry that an Official IRA man informed him that he fired several shots from a doorway of the Rossville Flats.

Kieran Gill who worked for the Irish Press said he spoke to the Official IRA man after Bloody Sunday.

The Saville Inquiry, sitting in Derry, is examining the events of 30 January 1972 when 13 civilians were shot dead by British army soldiers during a civil rights march in the city. A 14th person died later.

Mr Gill said the man claimed he had fired several shots up Rossville Street to keep the Army away.

Lord Saville: Inquiry chairman

He added that although he had been to see the man last week, he had refused to allow him to identify him to the inquiry.

Earlier on Thursday, a former pathologist told the inquiry that he believes one of those who died was killed by a single bullet.

Dr Derek Carson examined four gunshot wounds on Hugh Gilmore, and giving evidence to the inquiry in Londonderry on Thursday, he refused to accept they were caused by more than one bullet.

Former pathologist

Dr Derek Carson said: "I believe that the most likely explanation for the wounds in this case is that they were caused by one bullet."

Mr Gilmore was shot as he ran along Rossville Street during the shooting.

He was one of six victims on which Dr Carson, who was then deputy state pathologist for Northern Ireland, performed autopsies at Altnagelvin hospital next day.

I would say it is asking too much of a coincidence to suggest that a bullet passing through the arm did not damage the trunk

Dr Derek Carson

However, forensic experts commissioned by the Saville inquiry, Dr R T Shepherd and Kevin O'Callaghan, said Mr Gilmore was more likely to have been hit by more than one round.

Alan Roxburgh, counsel to the inquiry, asked Dr Carson to confirm if Mr Gilmore could have been hit in the arm and then in the chest moments later.

He said it was a theoretical possibility, but added: "I would say it is asking too much of a coincidence to suggest that a bullet passing through the arm did not damage the trunk and that a second bullet passing through the trunk did not damage the arm."

Inquiry chairman Lord Saville of Newdigate agreed Mr Gilmore could have been hit but not killed instantly.

He said: "It does seem to me on one view the first bullet could strike the arm but that would not stop the individual from moving or running for a period of time when he might have been struck by another bullet."

Lord Saville and the commonwealth judges accompanying him on the Bloody Sunday inquiry began their work nearly four years ago.

They are not expected to report back until 2004.

The Bloody Sunday inquiry was established in 1998 by Prime Minister Tony Blair after a campaign by families of those killed and injured.

They felt that the Widgery Inquiry, held shortly after the shootings, did not find out the truth about what happened on Bloody Sunday.