Inquiry hears of Bloody Sunday victims

Many of the victims were shot near these flats

A man threw a dying teenager over his shoulder and ran for his life after paratroopers tried to shoot the group carrying the casualty to safety, the Saville Inquiry has been told.

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, killing 14 people.

On day 25 of the public hearings, two witness accounts described a group of men dropping wounded teenager Michael Kelly in panic when soldiers appeared and opened fire, two of them shooting from the hip.

It was said to have happened as attempts were made to find the victim medical aid.

The tribunal also heard accounts of the last moments of another victim, Michael McDaid, 20, who was shot dead close to Mr Kelly - and who was photographed in the seconds leading up to his death.

A witness said he saw Mr McDaid stop and stare at soldiers shooting towards him - "mesmerised, like a rabbit caught in car headlights" - just before another burst of gunfire rang out.

Mr Kelly's brother-in-law, George Downey, said he carried the teenager from the spot where he was shot, across open ground at the maisonettes complex in Glenfada Park North.

Christopher Clarke QC: Counsel to inquiry

"I heard more shouts that `they're coming!'," said a statement from Mr Downey, read to the tribunal by counsel to the inquiry Christopher Clarke QC.

"There was panic and people scattered in all directions. I looked over my shoulder and saw a soldier emerge from the alley and aim his rifle in my direction.

"I turned and ran with Michael still in my arms and was shot at three times. The bullets hit the wall in front of me. I cannot understand how I am alive.

"As I was running, I tripped and fell forward and threw Michael in the alley for safety.

"As I lay on the ground I saw a big man, about 6ft 4ins tall, pick Michael up and sling him over his shoulder like a baby. He shouted at me, run!'.

"I got up and ran through the alleyway. I heard shots as I ran. I considered myself lucky not to have been hit."

Liverpool-born ex-Royal Navy serviceman Joseph Donnell gave a similar description of events, but said he saw three Paras come into the complex.

"The crowd carrying Michael Kelly almost dropped him in panic at the sight of the soldiers and he slipped down in between their arms. I took him in my arms and carried him on my own," he said.

Notice on Bloody Sunday memorial calls for justice

He claimed one of the soldiers aimed towards the crowd and opened fire from a kneeling position while his two colleagues opened fire from the hip.

"Bullets were flying past me and hitting the wooden fence. The soldiers seemed absolutely determined to hit someone. I have no doubt that I was running for my life."

Mr Downey said he and Mr Donnelly made their way to the neighbouring complex of houses, Abbey Park, where they saw a couple inside one, and beckoned for help.

He "almost flattened" the woman inside when she opened the door, to get Mr Kelly inside, his statement added.

Bullets were flying past me and hitting the wooden fence - the soldiers seemed absolutely determined to hit someone. I have no doubt that I was running for my life

George Downey

The teenager appeared to be in shock and a first aider who arrived at the house shortly afterwards told Mr Downey he was "not too good".

"She told me that you had better start praying. I knelt forward and said an act of contrition in Michael's ear."

The tribunal, headed by Lord Saville, is expected to sit for two years.

No-one can be prosecuted on the strength of evidence submitted to the inquiry, which was set up by the government solely to find the truth of what happened on Bloody Sunday.

The Widgery Inquiry held shortly after the shootings in 1972, exonerated the soldiers involved, who said they had been fired on by the IRA, before they themselves opened fire.

It has been adjourned until Wednesday.