A man blinded by a British soldier has taken part in a new video series about compassion.
Richard Moore, from Derry, was robbed of his sight, aged 10, after being hit by a rubber bullet as he walked home from school past a military checkpoint in 1972.
The British soldier veteran apologised in 2020 – 14 years after they formed an unlikely friendship.
The Children in Crossfire charity founder has long forgiven Charles Inness and the pair were hailed by the Dalai Lama after being invited to meet the spiritual leader more than a decade ago in 2010.
Charles was a captain with the Royal Artillery when he shot Richard.
Taking part in a new online video series from The Dalai Lama Centre for Compassion in Oxford, Mr Moore explains how he has never let what happened to him change who he has become.
He said: "I've never allowed that feeling to take over because I also realised that blindness and seeing isn't the only things in my life.
"If I had responded negatively to what happened, If I had of been really bitter and really angry, well, the impact on me, I think would have been enormous.
"I think I wouldn't have found inner peace. I wouldn't of found contentment and I don't think I would be the person I am today."
He added: "It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, to sit opposite the man who blinded me for life. I got to know the person that day and I liked him, and Charles and I have remained friends ever since.
"It's the compassion and love that I have experienced in my life that has made me the person that I am. All I want to do is try and give that back."
