A British army paratrooper should have been jailed for his actions on Bloody Sunday, a sergeant major claimed today.
Soldier INQ 2037, who was a Regimental Sergeant Major in the Parachute Regiment on January 30th, 1972, branded Lance Corporal 'H' an "idiot".
The sergeant major stood by his assertions despite Ms Cathryn McGahey, counsel for the inquiry, pointing out that the basis for them was incorrect.
Asked by Ms McGahey why he thought Lance Corporal 'H' was an idiot, the sergeant major said: "Well, from what the statement was and the Widgery Report, he had lain there and fired at people's windows without justification."
Ms McGahey pointed out that the lance corporal claimed he fired at a gunman he believed was in the house. The sergeant major said he believed the lance corporal should be jailed because he admitted to having fired 22 rounds indiscriminately at windows.
Ms McGahey said of the 22 shots the lance corporal fired on Bloody Sunday, only 19 were aimed at the house. The sergeant major said that as far as he was concerned the lance corporal fired excessively.
Lance Corporal 'H' was criticised for firing 19 shots at a single house in the Glenfada Park area of the nationalist Bogside area by Lord Chief Justice Widgery in his 1972 inquiry.
The sergeant major today said he also saw a lieutenant sheltering in an Army vehicle after shooting broke out on Bloody Sunday. He said he had the impression that Lieutenant 'N' was in a state of shock. He said he asked him if he was okay, but he stared forward and said nothing.
Thirteen civil rights marchers were shot dead by soldiers on Bloody Sunday. A 14th wounded man died later.
The Regimental Sergeant Major was the 710th witness to appear before the Saville Inquiry on day 321 of its hearings.