Comrades of an Army veteran on trial over alleged murders on Bloody Sunday told investigators in the immediate aftermath that he opened fire on civilians, a court heard yesterday.
The former paratrooper, known only as Soldier F, is facing two charges of murder and five counts of attempted murder in relation to the shootings in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on January 30 1972.
He is the only soldier to face trial in relation to the notorious Troubles flashpoint, which saw 13 civil rights demonstrators shot dead by members of the Parachute Regiment.
Belfast Crown Court heard yesterday that Soldier F’s platoon mates made statements to the Royal Military Police following the shootings which placed them at the scene.
The statements also disclosed that Soldier F had discharged his rifle in the vicinity of Glenfada Park North, where the murders allegedly took place.
