First civilian tells Bloody Sunday inquiry of 'clear Bogside' mission

The first civilian witness to appear at the Bloody Sunday inquiry in Londonderry gave evidence yesterday, eight months after the investigation into the deaths of 14 people in the city's Bogside district first convened.

The first civilian witness to appear at the Bloody Sunday inquiry in Londonderry gave evidence yesterday, eight months after the investigation into the deaths of 14 people in the city's Bogside district first convened.

Daniel Porter said he was told by soldiers during a game of darts at a Surrey pub in 1972 that they were being sent to Londonderry "to clear the Bog".

Another witness, a milkman who delivered to army headquarters in the city, testified that he was warned by a soldier before Bloody Sunday that the paratroopers were coming and "meant to do serious damage and even kill people".

Mr Porter was the first of up to 1,500 witnesses due to take the stand. Yesterday was day 52 of the public hearings of the investigation into the deaths of 12 civilians in January 1972.

Len Green, a former mayor of Londonderry, said he saw the Army's second-in-command at Barrier 12, one of the points through which troops went in, apparently organising proceedings.

Evidence is now being taken from 721 civilians, who will face questioning and cross-examination.

The inquiry, which was established two years ago, is expected to run for at least another two years. To date it has been taken up almost entirely with opening statements. Running costs are estimated to have reached about £30m.

The tribunal is chaired by Lord Saville of Newdigate, who is accompanied by two Commonwealth judges, William Hoyt and John Toohey.

Mr Porter told the inquiry:"I remember one night [the soldiers] started talking, saying that they would be going to Derry to 'clear the Bog', by which I understood that they would be clearing away the barricades.

"They said they would be landing with tanks. I got the impression they would be going to Northern Ireland pretty shortly."

Under cross-examination, he denied confusing the plan with Operation Motorman, which was carried out by the Army in July 1972 to take over "no-go" areas of Northern Ireland which at the time were controlled by the IRA.

The hearing continues.