A Derry man who is alleged to have fired gunshots on Bloody Sunday has said that he will waive his right to anonymity when he gives evidence to the Saville Inquiry. The 49-year-old man is expected to deny that he was involved with the Provisional IRA on the day.
He has said that he wants to assist in bringing out the truth surrounding the deaths of 13 people in the shootings in January 1972. A fourteenth person died later.
It was previously alleged that the 49-year-old man had fired gunshots from the Glenfanna Park area of Derry city on Bloody Sunday. It is also alleged that he was operating on behalf of Republicans on the day.
Up until now the man had sought to have his anonymity preserved and to give his evidence behind screens, but now the man has indicated his willingness to allow his name and identity to be made public.
He has however requested that his photo is not released, as he has told the inquiry that he works extensively in the Northwest, including some Loyalist areas, and public identification of him at such a sensitive time could place his security in jeopardy.
The man is expected to deny any involvement in the events of the day and will claim he was at home when British paratroopers opened fire on the crowd in Derry's Bogside. His change of mind on the issue of identifying himself is, he claims, based on the belief that he has nothing to hide and a wish to see justice done for those killed and their families.
