Bloody Sunday families oppose video link

Families of Bloody Sunday victims today criticised proposals that would allow soldiers to give evidence to the inquiry via a …

Families of Bloody Sunday victims today criticised proposals that would allow soldiers to give evidence to the inquiry via a video link.

The Bloody Sunday Inquiry headed by Lord Saville has asked lawyers representing the families to consider this "third option".

But relatives are pressing for the soldiers to give their evidence in the Derry Guildhall where the inquiry has been sitting for over a year.

The soldiers would prefer to move the inquiry to a different location, possibly London, while they are giving evidence.

READ MORE

The tribunal insisted the video link was not a plan they were proposing to force on the inquiry and said it was looking at the soldiers' venue "with an open mind".

Lawyers involved in the inquiry - due to resume next Monday following an Easter recess - are due to make submissions on the issue in early June and are expected to vigorously oppose it.

Mr John Kelly of the Bloody Sunday Trust said: "The families would be totally opposed to this idea. We would insist all the evidence be heard in the Guildhall, this is where it happened."

It has been argued that soldiers would be in danger if they came to Derry.

But Mr Kelly said: "The families have said they would not be in danger. We look forward to them coming here to give their evidence in front of the relatives of people they killed and injured and justifying their actions.

"We want them here, civilians are giving their evidence every day of the week and the soldiers should be treated in the same way."

PA