Bloody Sunday Inquiry: il Rapporto Saville

Report of The Bloody Sunday Inquiry

HC 29-I – HC 29-X, Volumes 1-10
Author: Lord Saville – The Bloody Sunday Inquiry
Publisher: TSO (The Stationery Office)

The object of this Inquiry was to investigate the circumstances that led to loss of life in connection with the civil rights march in Londonderry on Sunday 30 January 1972. A total of 13 civilians were killed by Army gunfire on the day which has generally become known as Bloody Sunday.

‘The Bloody Sunday Inquiry (HC 29)’ outlines the background to Bloody Sunday and then describes the events of the day:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

• the civil rights march;
• the outbreak of rioting in William Street;
• early firing by the Army wounding two persons;
• a shot fired by a member of the Official IRA;
• the launch of the arrest operation by Support Company of the 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (1 PARA);
• subsequent events at various locations in the Bogside.

Conclusion

In the mistaken belief that republican paramilitaries were responding in force to their arrival, soldiers of 1 PARA reacted by losing their self-control. There was a serious and widespread loss of fire discipline among the soldiers causing the deaths of 13 people and injury to a similar number, none of whom was posing a threat of causing death or serious injury. Bloody Sunday strengthened the IRA, increased nationalist resentment and hostility towards the Army and exacerbated the violent conflict of the years that followed.

It was a tragedy for the bereaved and wounded and a catastrophe for the people of Northern Ireland.