Bloody Sunday inquiry returns to Derry

Sunday Times Northern Ireland Editor Liam Clarke will be the first person to give evidence as the Bloody Sunday Inquiry returns to Derry’s Guildhall today.

Mr Clarke and his wife Kathryn Johnston will be questioned about claims in their book, Martin McGuinness: From Guns to Government that the Sinn Féin leader defied orders on Bloody Sunday by handing out nail bombs to members of the IRA youth wing.

Mr McGuinness, who admits being second in command of the IRA during Bloody Sunday, is expected to deny the claims when he appears before the Saville Inquiry next week.

Before giving evidence, Mr Clarke and Ms Johnston are expected to be called on to supply details of sources used in the book to the inquiry team.

Earlier this month, lawyers acting for the inquiry served subpoenas on the couple ordering them to hand over transcripts and hand written notes of interviews with eye witnesses contained in the book.

The two journalists had raised objections to handing over some of the material on the grounds it could identify their sources.

The matter is expected to be settled today before the start of evidence.

The inquiry is examining the events of January 30, 1972 when 13 civilians were shot dead by members of the Parachute Regiment during a civil rights march in Derry.

Having finished gathering evidence from soldiers at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster, the inquiry is taking evidence from journalists, civilian witnesses and members of the Official and Provisional IRA.

The remaining witnesses are expected to finish giving evidence before Christmas. The lawyers will then return to the Guildhall around March 2004 to make final submissions.

The final report of the inquiry’s findings is expected to be published by the end of next year.