麻豆约拍

Reporter Declan Lawn looks at the main conclusions of Lord Saville's report into the events of Bloody Sunday.

Reporter Declan Lawn informs us that the main findings of the Saville Inquiry were: that the immediate responsibility lies with those members of the Parachute regiment who engaged in unjustifiable firing on the day; the first shot was fired by the British Army; none of those killed was armed with a firearm.

Prime Minister David Cameron addresses Parliament regarding Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, stating that Lord Saville found Martin McGuinness was present on Bloody Sunday and that he was probably armed with a submachine gun. Mr Cameron then quotes Saville: "We are sure that he did not engage in any activity that provided any of the soldiers with any justification for opening fire".

Lord Saville lays much of the blame on decisions made by Colonel Derek Wilford (the commanding officer of 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment on Bloody Sunday). Saville concludes that Colonel Wilford disobeyed orders when he sent soldiers into the Bogside, but rules out any conspiracy in the army hierarchy or in government circles.

The report ends with David Cameron stating to the Commons: "What happened on Bloody Sunday strengthened the Provisional IRA, increased nationalist resentment and hostility towards the army and exacerbated the violent conflict of the years that followed. Bloody Sunday was a tragedy for the bereaved and the wounded and a catastrophe for the people of Northern Ireland".