Soldier admits firing at sniper

The inquiry is being held in Londonderry

A soldier who fired 22 shots on Bloody Sunday has said his main target was a sniper who was firing at him from a window.

The statement from the member of the of Paratroop Regiment, identified as H, was heard during Day 32 of the inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday in Londonderry.

The inquiry is hearing evidence on the events of 30 January, 1972, when soldiers opened fire on civil rights marchers. Thirteen people were killed while a fourteenth person died afterwards as a result of injuries sustained on the day.

Lord Saville: heading the inquiry at Derry's Guildhall

Lord Saville of Newdigate is heading the inquiry which is being held in Londonderry's Guild Hall.

Soldier H, who is recorded to have fired the most shots on Bloody Sunday, claimed to have fired three rounds which hit two men in Glenfada Park and spent the other 19 trying to shoot a sniper through a window.

A member of the anti-tank platoon in the Support Company of 1 Para, H said in his statement he could not call out to warn his colleagues as he was wearing a respirator and fired the 19 shots over a period of 30 seconds.

Each time the sniper disappeared from view although the muzzle of the gun remained visible through what appeared to be frosted glass.

The soldier said he had to stop firing to change his magazine.

"All the time I was changing my magazine, the threat of being fired at remained and I was totally focused on re-engaging the gunman and protecting my colleagues."

None of the shots hit the window, but H found it difficult to believe he would have missed it, the tribunal was told.

"I cannot remember seeing it break and wondered whether it had reinforcement wire in it," his statement said.

The soldier added: "I wish in a lot of ways that I had said I lost my magazine and I had fired only two rounds instead of 22."

'Terrified'

He said it would have been much easier for him to lie but he had "told the truth".

He also claimed to have shot two youths earlier as they handled a nail bomb just after he entered the courtyard of the flats.

He claimed he was "terrified" as he emerged into the courtyard.

"The knock of my knees is one of the clearest memories I have of that day. Coming under fire was absolutely terrifying. It was more frightening than my first parachute jump."