Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘SORRY IT HAPPENED ..I WISH IT HADN’T’
Ex-soldier tells inquest into 1973 killing
A FORMER soldier who shot plastic bullets just before a man was fatally injured said yesterday: “I wish it hadn’t happened.”
He was part of a squad ordered to fire baton rounds at youths who were throwing stones in Derry in 1973.
Former soldiers, who have been granted anonymity, gave evidence at an inquest and are contending they had been defending themselves.
Thomas Friel, 21, died in hospital on May 20, 1973, days after the incident in the early hours of May 18 when he was hit by a rubber bullet in Creggan.
Soldier B was asked whether there was anything he would like to say to the Friel family, to which he responded: “I’m sorry it happened, I wish it hadn’t happened.”
A fresh inquest was ordered by the attorney general in 2014 after evidence emerged indicating the Ministry of Defence knew of the lethal capacity of the projectiles.
Soldier D said in his 1973 statement to Royal Military Police, he was second in command of a section under Soldier A.
All were armed were SLR rifles while two – Soldier B and Soldier C – also carried baton guns.
They described as being stoned by 20-30 youths and were told to “use baton rounds if necessary”, Soldier D said.
His 1973 statement added:“i told both men with baton rounds to open fire on the DYH [Derry young hooligans], they fired two rounds each and I saw one man, aged about 25 years fall to his knees with his hands clasped to his chest. As we withdrew the crowd began to follow us and still stoning us, I heard
A give the order to fire baton rounds and I heard two bangs, I did not see any strike as I was facing the other way.”
Michael Chambers, for the coroner, said Soldier D made a second statement on May 12, 2020, which was read out.
Soldier D said he can’t remember many details of the night of May 17 to May 18 1973.
He added: “I did not know about the death of Thomas Friel until I got the letter from the Coroner’s Officer.
“I do not remember making the statement to the Royal Military Police and I have not been interviewed by the RUC about this matter.”
David Heraghty, acting for next of kin, quizzed Soldier D on his statements. He described being “constantly under attack”.
Soldier B, also gave evidence from behind a screen. In his 1973 statement he recalled carrying a baton gun, being ordered to fire it and firing two rounds.
It read: “I saw one youth struck on his leg by one round, he held his leg for a few seconds then ran back with the other youths into the alleyway.”
Soldier B said he was ordered to fire a round as youths advanced but was sure it didn’t hit anyone.
However, as rioters approached again he fired again at what he described in the statement as the “central leading figure”, and saw him fall on to his back.
Soldier B said he recalled being quizzed by the Royal Military Police but didn’t remember what he had said.
Mr Chambers asked had he been carrying a baton gun on the night in question, he declined to answer. The inquest in Banbridge continues.
I saw one youth struck on his leg by one round