Inquiry hears rifle fired

The inquiry is examining the events of 30 January 1972

A former Official IRA man has told the Saville Inquiry how he fired a shot at soldiers on Bloody Sunday.

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

The witness, known as Official IRA Man One, said he had gone into the Bogside to retrieve a rifle when he realised that the Army had shot two people on William Street.

The man said he then used the rifle to fire a single shot at soldiers on a nearby roof.

He insisted that he had not intended to fire at the Army at all and only did so to try to stop the Army from shooting anyone else.

The Saville Inquiry opened in Derry three and a half years ago, but moved to Westminster's Methodist Hall to hear evidence from more than 200 former soldiers and some politicians.

The inquiry returned to Derry in October. This session marks the beginning of the end of the evidence - the tribunal is hoping to hear all the witnesses by Christmas.

Lord Saville of Newdigate and the Commonwealth judges accompanying him on the inquiry are not expected to report back until next year.

The 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.

The inquiry has been adjourned until Wednesday.