Soldiers ‘under attack ordered to fire baton rounds’ on night of fatal injury

Banbridge Court House in Banbridge, Northern Ireland, where a fresh inquest into the death of Thomas Friel after being struck by a rubber bullet in Derry in 1973 is being heard (Paul Faith/PA)

An order was given for soldiers to fire baton rounds as they were stoned by youths in Derry in 1973 shortly before a man was fatally injured, an inquest has heard.

Former soldiers who gave evidence at an inquest into the death of Thomas Friel, 21, contended they had been defending themselves.