A Belfast High Court judge today rejected a bid by the sister of a Bloody Sunday victim to overturn a ruling allowing some police witnesses to give evidence behind protective screens.
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Ms Mary Doherty, sister of Gerard Donaghy who was accused of carrying nail bombs on the day of the Bloody Sunday shooting on January 30th 1972, had claimed the ruling infringed promises to the family that the Bloody Sunday inquiry would be open.
However, in a judicial review decision, Mr Justice Kerr sided with the inquiry that the 20 police officers should give evidence behind protective screens because there were reasonable fears that if they were identified they would be potential targets for republican terrorists.
The Saville Inquiry had ruled earlier this month there was a genuine threat to the police witnesses from Provisional IRA and dissident republican terrorist groups.
An application by the relatives of the 14 people who died as a result of the Bloody Sunday shooting that they should be able to see the police officers while they give evidence behind the protective screens was also dismissed today on the grounds that it would present logistical problems for the inquiry.
Mr Justice Kerr said the families had reacted with "predictable and understandable dismay" to the ruling to allow the police officers to be shielded from the tribunal while they give evidence.
He said he also had no doubt as to the genuineness of the applicant's concern about the effect screening would have on the families. However, he said, the families would be still be able to hear the evidence that the police officers would give to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.
Lawyers acting for the families were given until this Friday to consider their next legal move.
PA