Bloody Sunday reporter 'could not believe rounds were live'

A journalist who taped the gunfire on Bloody Sunday says he could not believe troops were shooting live rounds because there seemed to be no reason for it.

David Capper told the inquiry soldiers started firing "immediately" upon arriving in Derry's Bogside.

The BBC Northern Ireland reporter, since retired, also said he saw a civilian gunman who may have fired a shot towards soldiers on the perimeter of the Bogside before paratroopers entered the district.

Thirteen Catholic men were shot dead after the paras came in on what was designated an operation to arrest rioters accompanying a big civil rights demonstration.

A 14th man died five months later.

Mr Capper said he saw the armoured personnel carriers that brought the first troops in pull up 50 to 60 yards in front of him and said: "As soon as they came to a halt, soldiers got out of the APCs and immediately began firing.

"The soldiers were definitely not coming under any fire as far as I could see and they were standing up straight and making no effort to take cover.

"I certainly did not come under any fire whatsoever where I was standing".

He said he initially believed the soldiers must have been firing CS canisters from their rifles and added: "I could see no reason why they were firing live rounds so I didn't think they were".

Before the troops moved in, Mr Capper said he heard a shot he believed may have been directed at soldiers just outside the Bogside, then saw a man in a brown overcoat place a handgun into his pocket and melt into the crowd.