Families to appeal police screening at Bloody Sunday inquiry

The relatives of Bloody Sunday victims have lodged papers appealing a High Court decision which allows for the screening of police witnesses.

Papers were lodged on Thursday February 21 with the Court of Appeal challenging a decision made earlier this week which ruled that 20 police witnesses should be allowed to give their evidence whilst screened from the public and from the families of the deceased and the wounded.

The Saville Inquiry is examining the events of Bloody Sunday, 30 January 1972 when 13 civilians were shot dead by British Army soldiers during a civil rights march. A 14th person died later.

Speaking on behalf of the families' solicitors Kieran Rainey said: “It is a matter of the utmost importance to the families that this ruling is challenged.

"A blanket grant of screening to the majority of police witnesses erodes the public nature of the Inquiry and effectively excludes the families from almost an entire section of evidence.

"Moreover, the families fear that soldiers, not satisfied with anonymity and a change of venue, will soon apply for screening and will rely on any decision given in favour of these witnesses."

The Bloody Sunday Inquiry chaired by Lord Saville of Newdigate is based in Derry City's Guildhall.

The inquiry began nearly four years ago and a report is not expected until 2004.

Witnesses are immune from prosecution. The inquiry is aimed at solely establishing the facts about what happened.

(AMcE)