Soldier 'can't remember killings'

Soldiers shot 13 people dead in Derry on Bloody Sunday

A former soldier has said he does not remember killing two people on Bloody Sunday.

Soldier P told the Saville Inquiry on Monday that he did not remember firing his rifle.

He said that he had to rely on evidence he gave to the Widgery Tribunal in 1972, held shortly after the shootings.

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 Londonderry. A 14th person died later.

Soldier P told the Bloody Sunday Inquiry that he shot a nail bomber and a gunman on Rossville Street before firing a number of shots over the heads of a crowd of rioters.

He said he had put his Army years behind him and remembered very little about events on Bloody Sunday.

I have no recollection of firing my weapon or of seeing or hearing others firing weapons

Soldier P

He said: "I don't see anyone from the Army and I don't go to reunions - I have just got on with my life and work. Accordingly, I recollect very little about the 30 January 1972.

"I have no recollection of firing my weapon or of seeing or hearing others firing weapons," he added.

On further questioning, the soldier accepted that, in 1972, he said he had shot someone he believed to have been a nailbomber and a man with a pistol.

He had also said he fired two rounds at the alleged nail bomber, four at the alleged gunman and also three rounds in the air.

Soldier P said it had been the only occasion in his Army career in which he fired live rounds, apart from the shooting range.

'No question'

Christopher Clarke QC, counsel to the inquiry, then asked him: "It really is the position is it, that despite that you remember practically nothing of the day?"

Soldier P replied: "That is correct, yes."

Arthur Harvey QC, representing some of the deceased and wounded, asked: "There is not a question in your mind that you shot and killed two people that day?"

He again said that was correct.

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

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 next year.

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.