A paratrooper who believes he shot and killed two people on Bloody Sunday said today he could not recollect the circumstances of the deaths.
The soldier, known only as Soldier P, told the Saville Inquiry in London that live rounds he fired on January 30th, 1972, were the only ones he had fired, except in practice, in his 14-year army career.
The former corporal in Mortar Platoon Support Company in the 1st Battalion he Parachute Regiment said in his written statement to the inquiry that after he left the British Army, he put his years of service to the back of his mind and forgot about them.
He said: "I don't see anyone from the Army and I don't go to reunions; I have just got on with my life and work. Accordingly, I recollect very little aboutthe 30th January 1972".
He added: "I have no recollection of firing my weapon or of seeing or hearing others firing weapons".
However, he accepted that he stated in 1972 that he shot what he believed to be a nail bomber and a man with a pistol. He fired two rounds at the alleged nail bomber, four at the alleged gunman and also three rounds in the air, he said then.
Answering questions from Christopher Clarke QC, counsel to the inquiry, Soldier P said that day was the only occasion in his Army career in which he fired live rounds, except on the range.
Mr Clarke said: "It really is the position is it, that despite that you remember practically nothing of the day?"
Soldier P said: "That is correct, yes."
Arthur Harvey QC, representing some of the deceased and wounded, asked him: "There is not a question in your mind that you shot and killed two people that day?"
Soldier P: "That is correct".
Mr Harvey continued: "And yet you have no recollection of the circumstances in which you took the life of two of your fellow human beings?"
Soldier P replied: "No". PA