Bloody Sunday Inquiry to change venue for soldiers’ evidence

The Bloody Sunday Inquiry is to move to Britain temporarily to hear evidence from soldiers who refused to return to Londonderry.

The Inquiry, sitting in the Guildhall in Derry, is investigating the shooting dead of 13 people at a civil rights march in the city by the British Army on 30 January 1972. A 14th man died later.

The inquiry, chaired by Lord Saville of Newdigate, delivered a decision on Wednesday January 23 that solider witnesses could give their evidence in person at a location in Britain.

Previously the Appeal Court ruled in the soldiers’ favour, that those who were on active service in the Bogside on Bloody Sunday should not have to return to Derry to give their evidence.

Following this decision Lord Saville said he would hear the soldiers' evidence through a video link from a location in Britain.

However, both those bereaved and injured in the shooting and the soldiers objected to this move.

The inquiry has now decided that it will find a location in Britain to hear the soldiers' evidence in person.

Lord Saville said he hoped the hearing in Britain would take place by the summer. He added that steps were being taken to enable the families of those killed and injured to attend. (AMcE)