Challenge over 'screened' officer

Inquiry is examining events on Bloody Sunday

A retired police officer has rejected suggestions that he secured screening at the Bloody Sunday Inquiry on a completely false basis.

Seamus Treacy QC, representing most of the families, put it to Sergeant William McGreeghan that he told the Saville inquiry and the Appeal Court that he lived in Northern Ireland when in fact he lives outside the country.

The 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 the city. A 14th person died later.

Several police officers were granted the right to be shielded from public view while giving evidence in the Guildhall because of fears they would be targeted by republican paramilitaries.

Lord Saville: Inquiry chairman

Relatives of those killed unsuccessfully challenged the ruling in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Under cross examination Mr McGreeghan said he had been working full time outside Northern Ireland for the last six years but that his home was still in the province.

Mr Treacy said these facts would have had a bearing on whether Mr McGreeghan would have been allowed to give his evidence from behind screens.

However, Sergeant McGreeghan said he had held nothing back from the tribunal.

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.