IRA veterans 'could have crucial Bloody Sunday evidence'

A lawyer acting for five men who were members of the Official IRA in 1972 has come forward to the Bloody Sunday inquiry offering a "positive and possibly very, very significant impact" on proceedings.

Barrister Gareth Purvis made a preliminary approach on behalf of the five, said to include the gunman witnessed by retired Catholic Bishop of Derry, Dr Edward Daly, shooting from a pistol that day almost three decades ago.

The officer commanding of the organisation - the forerunner to the now-dominant Provisionals - and his adjutant or intelligence officer were also among the party, who all wanted to give evidence anonymously, like most of the soldiers lined up to testify to the tribunal.

All five were present in Londonderry's Bogside on January 30 1972, when Army paratroopers opened fire after a civil rights demonstration, killing 13 Catholic men, said Mr Purvis.

The development followed a public appeal on Thursday from all the bereaved and injured to all potential witnesses to come forward, however unpalatable their evidence.

That call was issued after tribunal chairman Lord Saville expressed frustration at the "quandary" created by witness silence over questions about IRA activity on Bloody Sunday.

Counsel to the inquiry Christopher Clarke QC said John Tate, solicitor to the inquiry, was approached by an intermediary for three of the men on Thursday.

Mr Purvis said the approach from all five was being led by a witness known only as Pin 437, alleged at the tribunal last year to have information about IRA gunfire in the Bogside on Bloody Sunday. He has been fighting to conceal his identity since June.

Mr Purvis said: "The persons referred to want to make a positive and I would suggest a very very significant impact into these proceedings. It is very likely that they can do that, but they do have concerns."

The inquiry continues.