Doubt raised on forensic evidence at Saville Inquiry

Forensic tests which showed some of the civilians killed on Bloody Sunday had handled weapons may have been unreliable, the Saville Inquiry heard today.

A police officer who carried out swab tests on some of the Bloody Sunday victims said in a written statement that it was possible results of some tests may have been cross-contaminated.

John Montgomery, a scene of crime officer, appeared behind screens at the Guildhall in Derry on Day 225 of the hearing and described scenes of “pandemonium” in the mortuary of Altnagelvin Hospital on the evening of January 30, 1972.

Mr Montgomery explained how he and a colleague, Hugh McCormac, were tasked with examining the bodies and clothing of the 13 civilian civil rights marchers who had died that day.

“There was no room for all the bodies, and civilians were there looking for missing relatives and friends. No-one knew what was going on,” he said in his statement.

“I remember Hugh McCormac got an awful slap in the mouth from the sister of one of the deceased. She had to be pulled off him.

“The relatives and friends wanted to get in and the police were trying to keep order. It was a very bad scene.

“In between all of this, Hugh McCormac and I were trying to identify the bodies, look for firearms and do our job.

“I do not recall many soldiers being present though I remember hearing that soldiers had turned up with bodies heaped in the back of a Pig [army van], and that a doctor had to come out and looked in the back of the Saracen and pronounced that they were all dead,” he added.

Mr Montgomery said in his statement that the chaotic scenes could have led to the cross-contamination of some of the tests.

“I recall an allegation that soldiers touching the hands of the bodies would have contaminated them. I agree that there is always a risk of such contamination, particularly when some of the bodies were brought to the mortuary in the back of a Pig which would be covered in firearm residues,” he said.

“The possibility of contamination can never be ruled out, but all I can say is that I followed the procedures in place at the time. I did everything I could, given the level of knowledge in 1972, to avoid contamination.”

In his statement, Mr Montgomery said he had “always felt bitter” that himself, Hugh McCormac and Chief Superintendent Lagan were named in the Widgery Inquiry, whereas soldiers were given anonymity.

“When we got our copies of the report, Hugh McCormac and I went straight to our supervisors and demanded transfers. We were granted them but unfortunately it took a while for them to come through and while we waited both myself and Hugh McCormac were attacked in the street,” he said.

“Hugh McCormac was shot dead in 1985 as he walked to Chapel holding his young son by the hand.”

Mr Montgomery said he had only been back to Derry three times in the last 30 years and during his last visit he felt he was being watched.

“I knew the people of Derry would not forget me,” he said.

“I was driving away out of Derry and I am convinced I was chased by a lorry and nearly run off the road. I have never been back since.”