Bloody Sunday paratrooper 'should have been jailed'

A paratrooper should have been jailed for his actions on Bloody Sunday, a sergeant major claimed today.

Soldier INQ 2037, who was a Regimental Sergeant Major in the Parachute Regiment on January 30, 1972, branded Lance Corporal ’H’ an “idiot”.

The sergeant major stood by his assertions despite Cathryn McGahey, counsel for the inquiry, pointing out that the basis for them was incorrect.

Asked by Ms McGahey why he thought Lance Corporal ’H’ was an idiot, the sergeant major said: “Well, from what the statement was and the Widgery Report, he had lain there and fired at people’s windows without justification.”

Ms McGahey pointed out that the lance corporal claimed he fired at a gunman he believed was in the house.

The sergeant major said he believed the lance corporal should be jailed because he admitted to having fired 22 rounds indiscriminately at windows.

Ms McGahey said of the 22 shots the lance corporal fired on Bloody Sunday, only 19 were aimed at the house.

The sergeant major said that as far as he was concerned the lance corporal fired excessively.

Lance Corporal ’H’ was criticised for firing 19 shots at a single house in the Glenfada Park area of the nationalist Bogside area by Lord Chief Justice Widgery in his 1972 inquiry.

The sergeant major today said he also saw a lieutenant sheltering in an army vehicle after shooting broke out on Bloody Sunday.

He said he had the impression that Lieutenant ’N’ was in a state of shock. He said he asked him if he was okay, but he stared forward and said nothing.

Thirteen civil rights marchers were shot dead by soldiers on Bloody Sunday. A 14th wounded man died later.

Soldier INQ 2037 said he heard firing after paratroopers were sent through crowd control barriers into the nationalist Bogside area, although he did not see any civilian gunmen.

“The impression I got was that soldiers were being fired at from high buildings,” he said.

“The firing was heavy and sounded like a battle. It seemed to be coming from in front of us, ie from the south of Rossville Street.”

The Regimental Sergeant Major was the 710th witness to appear before the Saville Inquiry on day 321 of its hearings.

The inquiry, which usually sits at the Guildhall in Derry, is currently hearing evidence from military witnesses and others in London because of concerns for their safety.

Lord Saville of Newdigate and the Commonwealth judges accompanying him on the Bloody Sunday inquiry began their work nearly four years ago and are not expected to report back until late 2004.

The inquiry was established in 1998 by British Prime Minister Tony Blair after a campaign by families of those killed and injured.

They felt that the Widgery Inquiry, held shortly after the shootings, did not find out the truth about what happened on Bloody Sunday.