Army fired 'before' IRA, inquiry told

Bloody Sunday dead are remembered in the Bogside

The Official IRA fired six shots in Londonderry on Bloody Sunday but not before the army started shooting, the Saville Inquiry has been told.

The claims came as the inquiry heard more evidence about the conduct of republican paramilitaries during a civil rights demonstration 28 years ago, when paratroopers shot and killed 14 men.

Continuing his opening submission, counsel to the inquiry, Christopher Clarke QC, said journalist Eamon McCann would testify that the Official IRA - forerunners to the Provisional IRA - fired six shots in the city's Bogside district on 30 January 1972.

However, he would say that none of the shots was discharged before Paratroopers opened fire.

Man produced gun

Mr Clarke presented the inquiry with part of the evidence to be given by former Bishop of Derry, Dr Edward Daly, who spotted a gunman moments after the first man to die, Jack Duddy, was shot in the forecourt of Rossville Flats.

The man appeared at the south end of Chamberlain Street, facing the flats, and the then curate thought his movements were "rather strange".

"He suddenly produced a gun from his jacket," the statement read.

It was a handgun and the gunman fired two to three shots around the corner at the soldiers, Dr Daly added.

"I cannot recall the soldiers reacting or firing in his direction. I do not believe they were aware of him."

Others in the area "screamed" at him to go away because they were frightened the soldiers might think the fire was coming from their direction.

Jack Duddy: The first to die on Bloody Sunday

"He looked at us and then he just drifted away."

A Sunday Times Insight investigation later identified the gunman as a member of the Official IRA in the Creggan area of the city, it was said.

Mr McCann also spoke to the gunman after Bloody Sunday in his capacity as a journalist, said Mr Clarke.

"The gunman's explanation was that he had taken the gun on the march for his personal protection but lost his temper when the Paras started shooting," said Mr Clarke.

"He took out his gun and fired a shot."

Mr McCann was also aware that there was another gunman in the area on the day, said Mr Clarke.

Mr Clarke has already disclosed extracts of a new statement given by a senior figure in the Official IRA, claiming orders had been given to stay away from the march.

However, the statement acknowledged that it was reported that one of his men had fired a shot in response to army fire.

Evidence of the Provisional IRA promising to keep out of the demonstration, had been given by civil rights campaigners involved in organising the march, who sought and received the assurances from the organisation before the parade.

Michael Clarke QC is presenting the evidence gathered so far

On Wednesday, Mr Clarke also presented statements giving accounts of people "clearing a line of fire" on Bloody Sunday.

Testimony given in 1972 by one of the demonstrators Joe Carlin claimed calls went out for a crowd at Glenfada Park to clear a line of fire.

His statement said: "People lay flat or stepped aside. I was just moving inside when word came back to get flat, get flat."

Those there were also told to "get down, they're shooting", although he could not hear gunfire.

The Bloody Sunday Inquiry, chaired by Lord Saville of Newdigate, has been gathering evidence for the past two years.

Public hearings are taking place in Derry's Guildhall and are now in their seventh day.