Taxi driver tells of 'looting' by British soldiers

A taxi driver has told the Bloody Sunday Tribunal in Derry that British soldiers stole his takings, wedding ring and watch during the arrest operation that led to the deaths of 13 unarmed civilians in January 1972.

Patrick Norris said his personal property was seized after he was detained while on his way to pick up a fare before the massacre occurred.

He told the tribunal today he was forced to drive around the Catholic Bogside area of Derry with a British soldier pointing a gun at him from the passenger seat.

According to his version of events, three people were arrested and put into his taxi before being transferred, along with Mr Norris, onto an army truck destined for Fort George British army barracks.

His written statement said: "I was kneeling on the floor with my hands over my head and I was absolutely terrified. As far as I was concerned, I was being taken out of the city and may have been about to be shot."

Mr Norris said his personal items were never returned to him after the Bloody Sunday massacre.