A former soldier has claimed that fragments of a drain pipe struck by an incoming bullet fell into his tea on Bloody Sunday.
Soldier 106 was a 'pioneer' sergeant in the Parachute Regiment and was a member of the first battalion's Guinness Force on Bloody Sunday.
He said he was a tradesman (a plumber) and with others in his unit was responsible for camp maintenance and similar duties. He was also a fully trained soldier and carried out full military duties.
On Bloody Sunday, he told the Saville Inquiry yesterday, he was stationed between Great James Street Presbyterian Church and Derry's postal sorting office.
"I and a few of the other lads in Guinness Force and support company were having a mug of tea. The atmosphere was relaxed and we were laughing and joking, talking about normal things," he said.
While having his cup of tea Soldier 106 said a drain pipe above him was shattered by a single shot from high powered weapon.
"The pipe completely shattered when it was hit and parts of it fell into my mug of tea," he said.
The incident referred to may have been that in which – it is understood – an official IRA gunman fired a shot at army positions before the Paras entered the Bogside. It is understood the shot was fired in response to the shooting of Damien Donaghy and John Johnston.
