High Court permits screens for police witnesses at Saville Inquiry

The High Court has dismissed a legal bid challenging the decision to allow screens to be used to conceal the identity of police witnesses at the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.

The families of those killed objected to the Inquiry's decision to allow 20 serving and former police officers to give their evidence from behind screens at the Guildhall in Londonderry.

Mr Justice Kerr gave his ruling on the matter on Tuesday February 19 stating there was ample evidence to support the fears of police officers giving evidence in full view. He stressed that the inquiry would still be public.

The Saville Inquiry had ruled earlier this month that there was a genuine threat to the police witnesses from Provisional IRA and dissident republican terrorist groups. It based this on security assessments from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

In his 35-page ruling, Mr Justice Kerr agreed with the Inquiry that there appeared to be a genuine threat to the police officers concerned.

John Kelly, brother of Michael Kelly who died on Bloody Sunday said he was "very angry and disappointed" at the ruling.

Speaking after the ruling Mr Kelly said: "I believe that this is a totally unjustifiable decision especially in light of the fact that two RUC officers have already given evidence to the Tribunal without the cloak of screening. A number of those who applied have been appearing in open court over the past 30 years, with some having a high public profile, appearing on television.

"If it stands, this decision erodes further the openness, transparency and public nature of the Inquiry as promised by Prime Minister Tony Blair."

The Bloody Sunday Inquiry, chaired by Lord Saville of Newdigate in Derry city's Guildhall is examining the events of 30 January 1972 when 13 civilians were shot dead by British Army soldiers during a civil rights march. A 14th person died later.

The inquiry which began nearly four years ago is not expected to report back until 2004, by which time the costs are likely to have exceeded £100 million.

Witnesses to the inquiry are immune from prosecution on issues arising from their evidence. It is aimed solely at establishing the facts about what happened.

(AMcE)