Soldier 'fired shots' at gunman

Inquiry is being held at the Methodist Central Hall in London

A former parachute regiment soldier has told the Bloody Sunday Inquiry that he fired two shots at a gunman at the Rossville Flats on Bloody Sunday.

Soldier D told the Saville Inquiry the gunman was firing a pistol from a third storey window and that he fired two shots at him.

The 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.

Giving evidence at the tribunal on Wednesday, soldier D said he missed the gunman with his first shot and did not know if he hit him with the second round.

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.