Soldiers ‘riddled car with bullets on Bloody Sunday’

A 48-year-old man has told the Saville Inquiry in Derry that he saw British soldiers riddle a car with bullets just as a young couple were about to get into it on Bloody Sunday almost 32 years ago.

A civilian witness today told the Saville Inquiry that he saw soldiers riddle a car with bullets as a young couple tried to get away from the Bogside area on Bloody Sunday.

Thomas Barr, who was 16 at the time, was watching events unfold from his parents’ flat in the Rossville complex.

From his vantage point, he could see the former Bishop of Derry, Edward Daly, tending to the dying Jack Duddy in the Rossville carpark.

He also saw an official IRA man, known to the Inquiry as Father Daly’s gunman, firing from a gable wall at troops.

Mr Barr said he saw the young couple coming out of Rossville Flats and making for a car.

“I thought they were mad. I realised by now that everybody’s life was at risk from the soldiers and to me to try and drive the car out of there seemed to be total madness,” he told the inquiry.

He said that as the pair walked towards the car, soldiers began opening fire at the vehicle.

“They went on firing, smashing all the glass in the car and there were lots of shots. I remember the car jumping around. The girl became hysterical. I can’t remember where the couple went. I don’t think they got into the car.”

Mr Barr said there was no gunman near the car as the soldiers opened fire. He was sure the young couple had no weapons.

He began to believe his life was in danger from the troops.

“I remember a rifle being raised and pointed in our direction. I remember then diving away from the window. My impression was that the soldier aimed at us in the flat.”

After the soldiers left the area, Mr Barr said he went outside and discovered that other people, including his friend Hugh Gilmore, had been shot dead.

He knew two of the other 13 civilians who died, Michael Kelly and Gerry Donaghy.

“I knew Micky Kelly who was in the same class at school with me. He was a happy-go-lucky chap, quite quiet, a nice guy.

“I also knew Gerry Donaghy because I played football with him. I have heard since he was in the Fianna (IRA youth wing). I did not know that at the time and was surprised when I heard it.”