Inquiry call for IRA evidence

The inquiry is examining the events of 30 January 1972

Lawyers representing more than 400 soldiers have called on the Bloody Sunday Inquiry to order several journalists and civilians to give information about the IRA.

The lawyers told the Saville Inquiry on Friday that it must deal with the matter now or it would be too late to fully investigate the IRA's role on Bloody Sunday.

The Saville Inquiry is examining the events of 30 January 1972 when 13 civilians were shot dead by British army soldiers during a civil rights march in Londonderry. A 14th person died later.

Several civilians and journalists have so far refused to name people they knew or suspected had been in the IRA.

It is understood at this stage that six former members of the Official IRA have given statements to the Tribunal, while Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness is the only person prepared to testify about the role of the Provisional IRA.

The inquiry, which usually sits at the Guildhall in Derry, is currently hearing the evidence from military witnesses and others in London because of concerns for their safety.

Lord Saville of Newdigate and the commonwealth judges accompanying him on the Bloody Sunday inquiry began their work nearly four years ago.

They are not expected to report back until 2004.

The Bloody Sunday inquiry was established in 1998 by Prime Minister Tony Blair after a campaign by families of those killed and injured.

They felt that the Widgery Inquiry, held shortly after the shootings, did not find out the truth about what happened on Bloody Sunday.