'Gunman shot in cemetery'

The inquiry is examining the events of 30 January 1972

A former soldier has told the Saville Inquiry that a gunman was shot in Londonderry's city cemetery on Bloody Sunday.

Soldier 1325 told the tribunal, sitting in London on Wednesday, that he heard shots being fired at his location at the army post at Foyle Road and that shots were returned.

The inquiry is examining the events of 30 January 1972 when 13 civilians were shot dead by soldiers during a civil rights march in Derry. Another man died later from his injuries.

Soldier 1325 said he was later told by another soldier that he had fired at a gunman in the cemetery and that he believed he had hit him.

Soldier 1325 said he assumed that the gunman was taken into the city's Bogside district, to be added to the casualties there, as there was never any report of a gunman being shot in the cemetery.

The tribunal is sitting at Central Hall in London for about six weeks before returning to the Guildhall in Derry as it enters its final stages.

It has been hearing evidence from military witnesses and others in London because of concerns for their safety.

Lord Saville of Newdigate has already heard evidence from more than 800 witnesses, including the prime minister in 1972, Sir Edward Heath.

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 next year.