Evidence of ex-British army intelligence officer to be read into public record

Evidence from the former British intelligence officer Ian Hurst, also known as Martin Ingram, is to be read into the public record at the Smithwick Tribunal on Tuesday.

Mr Hurst, a former member of the British army’s Force Research Unit, gave evidence to the tribunal in private session earlier this week. The evidence of a second witness known only by the cipher “Witness 68”, which was taken yesterday, again in private session, is also to be read into the record on Tuesday.

The tribunal is inquiring into suspicions that members of the Garda colluded with the Provisional IRA in the murder of two Northern Ireland police officers in March 1989.

It is understood Mr Hurst’s evidence related to British army agents, particularly the senior IRA figure code-named Stakeknife, who served in the IRA during the period.

Announcing the intention to read the evidence of both witnesses into the record next week, Judge Peter Smithwick said aspects which might impinge on important and still relevant security issues may be redacted.