Soldier 'shot nail bomber'

The inquiry is examining the events of 30 January 1972

A former soldier has told the Bloody Sunday Inquiry he did not invent a story about shooting a nail bomber.

Soldier R said he fired at and hit a man who was about to throw a nail bomb at the Rossville Flats in Londonderry.

The Saville Inquiry 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.

The inquiry, which usually sits at the Guildhall in Derry, is currently hearing the evidence from military witnesses and others in London because of concerns for their safety.

Soldier R was in one of the first armoured cars to drive into the Bogside area of the city on Bloody Sunday.

Acid bomb

He told Monday's sitting of the tribunal he did not shoot Jackie Duddy, who was shot dead at the flats.

Soldier R said he was injured by an acid bomb thrown from the Rossville Flats.

He said he had been left with a permanent medical condition as a result of his injuries.

Lord Saville of Newdigate 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.