The former head of intelligence in Northern Ireland said today he did not remember seeing any information that showed the IRA planned to attack the security forces on Bloody Sunday.
But the retired officer, known only as "David", said it was common at the time for republican paramilitaries to join demonstrations to cause problems for the RUC and British army.
David, who is now 81, was director of intelligence for Northern Ireland on January 30th, 1972, when 13 civil rights marchers were shot dead by soldiers. A 14th man died later.
He gave his evidence to the Saville Inquiry in London today from an undisclosed location via video-link to a monitor that was screened from the public gallery in Methodist Central Hall.
"I have been asked if there was any intelligence . . . that the IRA would attempt to exploit the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association march in Londonderry on January 30th, 1972, as cover for attacking the army," he said.
"I do not remember any intelligence specific to the march in question to that effect but I do remember that it was endemic at that time that the IRA would join marches, demonstrations and any civil disturbance to exploit opportunities to cause trouble to the security forces".