2.10.03
BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Soldier admits killing fourth man
Soldier admits killing fourth man
Soldiers shot 13 people dead in Derry on Bloody Sunday
A former parachute regiment soldier has been told he faces allegations of murdering four people on Bloody Sunday, and possibly of killing more.
Soldier F agreed at the Saville Inquiry on Thursday that he killed four people, but insisted he did not murder them.
He told the inquiry that he fired only at a gunman and two nailbombers.
The Saville Inquiry is examining the events of 30 January 1972 when 13 civilians were shot dead by British army soldiers during a civil rights march in Londonderry. A 14th person died later.
Soldier F admitted killing Michael Kelly, Barney McGuigan and Paddy Doherty and an unidentified man in Glenfada Park.
It was suggested to him that the unidentified man may be William McKinney.
The former paratrooper earlier agreed under questioning by a barrister representing the families, Michael Mansfield QC, that he killed Barney McGuigan, 41, at the Rossville Flats.
This was the first time he had admitted this to the Saville Inquiry
The witness has previously claimed he shot two nailbombers and a man carrying a pistol.
The inquiry stopped for a few moments as Mr McGuigan's widow was taken from the hearing chamber in tears.
Michael Mansfield QC cross-examined Soldier F
Soldier F told the tribunal that he killed a man carrying a pistol further along the flats from where Mr McGuigan died.
However, he accepted that he also killed Mr McGuigan who, Mr Mansfield said, was shot in the back of the head while holding only a white handkerchief in his hand.
Soldier F was told he faces allegations of murdering four people, and possibly killing others.
Counsel to the inquiry, Christopher Clarke QC told the former paratrooper that the tribunal would have to consider and make findings on the allegations, and asked him what he wanted to say.
Mr Clarke, summarising the evidence, said: "What is alleged in relation to each of those four people is that you shot them without justification, that is to say that you murdered them - do you follow?"
Soldier F said he did not murder them: "As I refer to my statements, the people I shot are the petrol bombers or a person who had a weapon."
Soldier F said he had nothing further to add.
No memory
Earlier on Thursday, Soldier F told the inquiry that it slipped his mind that he had killed a 17-year-old youth.
The inquiry is currently hearing evidence from military witnesses and others in London because of concerns for their safety.
Soldier F agreed that he did not mention killing Michael Kelly at the barricade on Rossville Street in his first statement to the Military Police.
A bullet from Soldier F's rifle was recovered from Mr Kelly's body.
The soldier told the Widgery Inquiry in 1972 that he shot two nailbombers and a gunman, but he told the Saville Inquiry that he had no memory of firing at or killing someone at Rossville Street.
Lord Saville of Newdigate and the Commonwealth judges accompanying him on the Bloody Sunday inquiry began their work nearly four years ago.
They are not expected to report back until next year.
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry was established in 1998 by 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.
Soldier admits killing fourth man
Soldiers shot 13 people dead in Derry on Bloody Sunday
A former parachute regiment soldier has been told he faces allegations of murdering four people on Bloody Sunday, and possibly of killing more.
Soldier F agreed at the Saville Inquiry on Thursday that he killed four people, but insisted he did not murder them.
He told the inquiry that he fired only at a gunman and two nailbombers.
The Saville Inquiry is examining the events of 30 January 1972 when 13 civilians were shot dead by British army soldiers during a civil rights march in Londonderry. A 14th person died later.
Soldier F admitted killing Michael Kelly, Barney McGuigan and Paddy Doherty and an unidentified man in Glenfada Park.
It was suggested to him that the unidentified man may be William McKinney.
The former paratrooper earlier agreed under questioning by a barrister representing the families, Michael Mansfield QC, that he killed Barney McGuigan, 41, at the Rossville Flats.
This was the first time he had admitted this to the Saville Inquiry
The witness has previously claimed he shot two nailbombers and a man carrying a pistol.
The inquiry stopped for a few moments as Mr McGuigan's widow was taken from the hearing chamber in tears.
Michael Mansfield QC cross-examined Soldier F
Soldier F told the tribunal that he killed a man carrying a pistol further along the flats from where Mr McGuigan died.
However, he accepted that he also killed Mr McGuigan who, Mr Mansfield said, was shot in the back of the head while holding only a white handkerchief in his hand.
Soldier F was told he faces allegations of murdering four people, and possibly killing others.
Counsel to the inquiry, Christopher Clarke QC told the former paratrooper that the tribunal would have to consider and make findings on the allegations, and asked him what he wanted to say.
Mr Clarke, summarising the evidence, said: "What is alleged in relation to each of those four people is that you shot them without justification, that is to say that you murdered them - do you follow?"
Soldier F said he did not murder them: "As I refer to my statements, the people I shot are the petrol bombers or a person who had a weapon."
Soldier F said he had nothing further to add.
No memory
Earlier on Thursday, Soldier F told the inquiry that it slipped his mind that he had killed a 17-year-old youth.
The inquiry is currently hearing evidence from military witnesses and others in London because of concerns for their safety.
Soldier F agreed that he did not mention killing Michael Kelly at the barricade on Rossville Street in his first statement to the Military Police.
A bullet from Soldier F's rifle was recovered from Mr Kelly's body.
The soldier told the Widgery Inquiry in 1972 that he shot two nailbombers and a gunman, but he told the Saville Inquiry that he had no memory of firing at or killing someone at Rossville Street.
Lord Saville of Newdigate and the Commonwealth judges accompanying him on the Bloody Sunday inquiry began their work nearly four years ago.
They are not expected to report back until next year.
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry was established in 1998 by 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.
