The High Court in Belfast has upheld a ruling by the Bloody Sunday inquiry that 20 former RUC officers be allowed to give their evidence from behind screens. Relatives of the victims of the 1972 atrocity had sought to overturn Lord Saville's ruling on the grounds that the openness of the inquiry would be affected.
However, Belfast High Court judge, Mr Justice Brian Kerr, said that the police officers' application to give their evidence from behind screens was justified because the fears for the officers safety were reasonable. The judge said that risk assessment by the security forces had produced ample material to prove that the fears of the officers were justified.
The judge also said he did not believe the business of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry would be unduly affected by the screening of police witnesses. He said the inquiry would still be held in public, the testimony of the police witnesses could be heard in the inquiry, and the police witnesses could be cross-examined.
A solicitor representing one of the Bloody Sunday families said they would decide before the end of this week if they would appeal this High Court decision.
