'Spy claims' at inquiry

The tribunal is entering the final stages of hearing evidence

A secret document compiled by RUC Special Branch claimed that former SDLP leader John Hume and three colleagues worked as agents of the Irish Government at the time of Bloody Sunday.

The intelligence paper, which was submitted to the Blood Sunday inquiry, also claimed that Irish premier Jack Lynch had promised funds to groups working to overthrow the Stormont government.

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

The document stated that Mr Lynch had already paid money to the SDLP and mentioned Mr Hume, then a leading member of the party, and colleagues Ivan Cooper, Austin Currie and Paddy O'Hanlon as intelligence officers.

It stated: "It is also worth recalling previous intelligence to the effect that Mr Lynch's intelligence officers in Northern Ireland are Messrs Cooper, Currie, O'Hanlon and Hume, the latter now having publicly stated that only a united Ireland will satisfy the minority."

The claim was rejected by the former SDLP leader John Hume.

The Special Branch assessment for the period up to 3 February, 1972 claimed the Bloody Sunday shootings occurred after soldiers were fired on by snipers operating from flats in the Bogside.

It added that prior to a civil rights march in the city, there had been reliable intelligence that the IRA intended to exploit the presence of crowds as cover for their gunmen.

Former Special Branch Detective Chief Inspector Samuel Donnelly, giving evidence to the inquiry on Monday, said he had no memory of intelligence relating to the intentions of either wing of the IRA on Bloody Sunday.

Mr Donnelly said: "I have no recollection of any intelligence or information received from any source about the movements of the IRA or any other organisation before Bloody Sunday.

Soldiers shot 13 people dead in Derry on Bloody Sunday

"Specifically I do not recall what information, if any, Special Branch received about the likely actions of the IRA on the day or the sources of any such information."

The hearing of evidence in the Bloody Sunday Inquiry is expected to finish this week.

The last witness is due to testify at the Guildhall in Londonderry on Thursday. More than 900 witnesses have testified since the tribunal began hearing the evidence nearly four years ago.

But it will still be some time before the inquiry actually draws to a close.

Counsel to the inquiry, Christopher Clarke QC, will not deliver his closing statement until the autumn and it will be at least this time next year before Lord Saville publishes his final report.

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

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.