'Give information about Bloody Sunday'

Dr Edward Daly with Bloody Sunday victim Jack Duddy

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has urged everyone with information about Bloody Sunday to give it to the Saville Inquiry.

Speaking on Wednesday, the education minister said he wanted everyone, without exception, to come forward to help uncover the full truth about the day.

Headed by Lord Saville, the inquiry was established to examine the events of 30 January 1972.

Thirteen Catholic men were shot dead by British soldiers during a civil rights march in the city that day. A 14th person died later.

Mr McGuinness is alleged to have fired the shot which precipitated the army shootings.

The claim has been made at the inquiry by lawyers representing soldiers.

Mr McGuinness said he would go into the witness box after his lawyers "smoothed over" legal matters with inquiry solicitors.

Martin McGuinness: Urged people to give information

"People should be under no illusion. " I'm very anxious to give my testimony to the Bloody Sunday tribunal," he said.

Meanwhile, a man who claimed he witnessed two men shot on Bloody Sunday said the events would "forever be my personal hell".

Hugh Barbour told the inquiry he would have joined the IRA had he not seen Barney McGuigan, 42, shot through the head.

He said he realised he could never do the same thing to another human being.

Mr Barbour, who was 16 at the time, said he found it difficult to come to terms with what he experienced that day.

He said he witnessed paratroopers arriving in Londonderry's Bogside from a balcony on the Rossville Flats.

He said he saw Michael Bradley shot. Mr Bradley survived his injuries. He then saw Michael Bridge shot.

Mr Barbour said he ventured into the forecourt of the complex, where he saw Hugh Gilmour being pulled round the corner.

Lord Saville: Heading inquiry

"The firing was still quite heavy at this time and consequently it took them two or three attempts before they managed it," he said.

"I remember thinking at the time how incredibly brave they were in putting themselves in danger in this way.

"As well as feeling terribly afraid, I felt ashamed that I didn't have the courage to go and help them. "

Mr Barbour claimed he then saw Mr McGuigan shot while holding a white handkerchief and shouting: `Please, please help, don't shoot me.'

He said later: "After Bloody Sunday I tried to block all my memories of what I had seen.

"I have found it very difficult coming to terms with what I experienced then but I want to make a statement now so that I can lay to rest memories that I have."

He added: "I had witnessed what one person could do to another when I saw Barney McGuigan and I knew I could never justify doing this to another human being.

"I saw reality that day. If I had been a hundred yards up Rossville Street and had not seen Barney McGuigan being shot I would have joined the IRA."