Sunday probe 'did not assess if shooting was justified'

The purpose of a military investigation into the Bloody Sunday shootings was not to ascertain if shots were justifiably fired, a hearing heard today.

The British investigator, referred to as INQ-2052, who took statements from soldiers on duty during the ill-fated march, also denied influencing evidence.

He told the inquiry, which is being held in London, that the purpose of the investigation had been simply to record facts and that interviews had been carried out over “sandwiches and tea”.

Thirteen unarmed people were killed on January 30, 1972 at a Derry civil rights march, now known as Bloody Sunday.

The Widgery inquiry into the incident held in 1972 exonerated the paratroopers finding that they had only shot in self defence.

But now a new inquiry into the Bloody Sunday shootings is being held to scrutinise new evidence which has come to light.

In his statement, the investigator told the hearing that his role after Bloody Sunday involved taking statements from soldiers who had either discharged rounds or witnessed the discharge of rounds

He said: “I cannot now recall if I took statements from soldiers who had been fired at.”

Describing the procedure of carrying out interviews, he said: “I interviewed the soldier wherever his unit was located. It was not a very formal procedure. I always wore civilian clothing and the soldier was usually relaxed.

“The purpose of our investigation was to record the facts of the incident.”

He went on: “We did not check weapons or, indeed, ask any questions about weapons if our investigations concerned a soldier firing his weapon.

“It was not our role to ascertain whether the soldier was justified in firing or whether his behaviour was lawful or unlawful; our role was merely to record the facts of the incident.”

The investigator also said he “did not come across” any proof that soldiers carried private supplies of ammunition.

He added: “There was no interference with the witness while I was taking the statement as this was not allowed.

“I did not coach the witnesses for the Tribunal (Widgery) myself, however, I cannot speak for my other colleagues.”

Giving further evidence about the way interviews were conducted, he said: “We usually discussed the incident over sandwiches and tea.”