Bloody Sunday victim had 'hands in air'

A mural in the city is dedicated to the victims

A man killed on Bloody Sunday had his hands in the air when he was shot as he tried to run from soldiers and help another fatally wounded man, an inquiry has heard.

The Saville Inquiry also heard that a newly-commissioned study of autopsy and forensic material supported the claims that father-of-eight Gerald McKinney was killed with his arms raised.

The inquiry, which is being held at the Guildhall in Londonderry, is investigating events when British paratroopers opened fire on a banned civil rights procession in the city's Bogside area in 1972, killing 14 people.

In a statement read out by Counsel to the Inquiry, Christopher Clarke QC, Mr McKinney's brother-in-law John O'Kane also claimed to have witnessed Gerald Donaghey and James Wray being shot dead.

Lord Saville: heading the inquiry at Derry's Guildhall

He claimed that Mr McKinney had, moments earlier, run across the courtyard of Glenfada Park helping carry another casualty of the day, Michael Kelly, who also died.

However, the teenager was knocked from their hands as the crowd jostled past in panic and three paratroopers entered the courtyard and opened fire, his statement said.

The statement added: "As I got through the south western exit and entered the alleyway I became aware that a fellow behind me had fallen. I looked back and saw that he had been shot in the right side."

Mr O'Kane, Mr McKinney and about half-a-dozen others then took cover in a garden around the corner and looked through an alleyway at the injured man, Mr Wray - who another witness has already claimed was shot in the back from close range as he lay on the ground.

Mr O'Kane's statement said: "He was still alive and was raising his right hand saying `help me, help me'.

"The next thing I remember is that one or two shots rang out, the man's body jumped on the floor and he fell back down, limp. I believe that he was shot again, that time in his back."

One of those with them - later identified as Mr Donaghey, 17, - was "particularly anxious" to escape and went first, followed by Mr McKinney and Mr O'Kane.

I was frozen with disbelief. My mind was a muddle. It all seemed to happen so suddenly and there was nothing I could do

Witness statement

As Gerald Donaghey started as if to run, a single shot rang out and he fell, clutching his stomach, the statement said.

"As he lay on the ground, his feet were kicking out," the statement said.

"Despite the shooting of the young boy, Gerry and I decided to take our chance. In any event, we wanted to go to the young boy's assistance.

"He walked forward, watching the alleyway all the time. As he approached the step, he turned his head to the left and put his hands in the air, saying `no, no, no, do not shoot'. A shot rang out and he fell across the steps.

"He landed on his back and I remember him saying `Jesus, Jesus' and blessing himself. His legs kicked and then he lay still. I knew he was dead.

"I was frozen with disbelief. My mind was a muddle. It all seemed to happen so suddenly and there was nothing I could do. I remember standing there, chewing a handkerchief.

"People were saying to me `get back, get back'. I could not move. I could easily have been shot."

The inquiry was adjourned until Thursday.