The Taoiseach has again intervened directly with the British Prime Minister to seek an independent inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday, amid speculation that a British decision on the issue may be announced next week. This morning's Daily Telegraph says that Britain is set to apologise for the Bloody Sunday killings. It says that Mr Blair will appoint a judicial figure to examine new evidence submitted by the Irish government.
A British Labour backbencher has tabled a Westminster question on the matter for answer by Mr Blair next Wednesday. But British and Irish government sources have played down suggestions that Mr Blair will announce a decision on that day.
Mr Ahern telephoned Mr Blair yesterday to urge him to set up an independent inquiry. The Government has lobbied the British for an inquiry since last June, when it submitted a dossier of evidence to them.
The Government, and the relatives of the 14 men who died after British soldiers opened fire on civil rights protesters on January 30th, 1972, have rejected suggestions that a British government apology would be an adequate response.
Yesterday in Dublin the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, met relatives of those who died. Calling for an independent inquiry, he suggested the Government might publish its dossier of evidence on Bloody Sunday before a British announcement.
Dublin is understood to have received no firm indication of British intent on the matter. British military sources are understood to have strongly pressed their Government not to concede an independent inquiry.
While some Government sources are pessimistic about the British response, others believe Mr Blair has genuinely not yet made up his mind. A Government spokesman said yesterday that Mr Blair told Mr Ahern he would reflect on what he had said.
According to a Government statement issued after yesterday's conversation: "The Taoiseach made the strongest possible case to the Prime Minister for a full independent investigation [inquiry] and stressed, in particular, the strength of feeling among the victims, relatives and others in Derry that, approaching the 30th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the truth has still not been established and acknowledged publicly.