O'Malley promises his full co-operation

The former leader of the Progressive Democrats, Desmond O'Malley, has said he will be happy to co-operate with any inquiry into the events leading to the 1970 Arms Trial and into the trial itself.

In his second statement this week, Deputy O'Malley said any inquiry should cover all aspects of the matter and not just a select few.

He added that to respond fully to newspaper claims, he would have to read all the relevant papers in the national archive.

He admitted signing an order suppressing certain files from the trial at the request of a senior Dept of Justice official, Peter Berry, who wished to keep some entries in his diary confidential.

Mr O'Malley said he may have signed other claims of privilege, but cannot recall which ones.

The second trial of Charles Haughey and three others on arms importation charges began on October 6, 1970. They were later acquitted.