Military probe did not examine shootings

Thirteen civilians were killed on Bloody Sunday

The purpose of a military investigation into the Bloody Sunday shootings was not to ascertain if shots were justifiably fired, the Saville Inquiry has heard.

The investigator, referred to as INQ-2052, who took statements from soldiers on duty during the ill-fated march, also denied influencing evidence during his testimony on Monday.

The tribunal is investigating the events of 30 January 1972 when soldiers of the Parachute Regiment fired on civilians at a civil rights march in Londonderry, killing 13 men and boys. Another man died later.

The investigator told the inquiry, which is being held in London, that the purpose of the investigation had been simply to record facts and that interviews had been carried out over "sandwiches and tea".

It was not our role to ascertain whether the soldier was justified in firing or whether his behaviour was lawful or unlawful

INQ-2052
Investigator

In his statement, INQ-2052 told the hearing that his role after Bloody Sunday involved taking statements from soldiers who had either discharged rounds or witnessed the discharge of rounds.

"I cannot now recall if I took statements from soldiers who had been fired at," he said.

"I interviewed the soldier wherever his unit was located. It was not a very formal procedure. I always wore civilian clothing and the soldier was usually relaxed.

Whitewash

"The purpose of our investigation was to record the facts of the incident."

He went on: "We did not check weapons or, indeed, ask any questions about weapons if our investigations concerned a soldier firing his weapon.

"It was not our role to ascertain whether the soldier was justified in firing or whether his behaviour was lawful or unlawful; our role was merely to record the facts of the incident."

The investigator also said he "did not come across" any proof that soldiers carried private supplies of ammunition.

"There was no interference with the witness while I was taking the statement as this was not allowed.

Giving further evidence about the way interviews were conducted, he said: "We usually discussed the incident over sandwiches and tea."

The inquiry has been sitting in Derry, but was moved to London to hear evidence from military witnesses following court action in which they argued they could be targeted by dissident republicans if they had to travel to Northern Ireland.

The Army has always maintained that it was fired on by IRA gunmen before it opened fire and this view was upheld by the Widgery Inquiry, held shortly after the shootings.

The relatives of those killed and injured have always denied that the Army were fired on before they opened fire.

The Saville Inquiry was set up by Prime Minister Tony Blair to reinvestigate the evidence because the relatives felt the first inquiry was a whitewash.

Lord Saville and the Commonwealth judges who comprise the inquiry, are not expected to report back until 2004.