Evidence unearthed by a fresh police investigation of the Claudy bombing in 1972 by the IRA points to a massive cover-up involving the Catholic church, the Northern Ireland Office, the RUC and a senior member of the British cabinet.
A Catholic priest, based in south Co Derry 30 years ago and now deceased, is alleged to have been to the fore in the no-warning bombing of Claudy in July 1972 in which nine people died. He is believed to be Father Jim Chesney.
He was not interviewed about the bombing despite suspicion of his involvement, and was instead moved to Raphoe, Co Donegal and later Malin Head. He died in 1980.
A review of the original investigation which failed to charge anyone, was ordered last August by Mr Sam Kinkaid, the PSNI's Assistant Chief Constable, North Region. He reported to the Claudy bereaved families yesterday and apologised for the RUC's failure in the investigation. He admitted arrest opportunities were lost.
Mr Kinkaid said in a statement that a study of evidence from 1972 showed the priest was involved in the bombing and that he also provided an alibi for another suspect.
He claimed that the then Catholic Primate, Cardinal William Conway and the Northern Secretary, Mr William Whitelaw, met and discussed the priest's involvement on December 5th, 1972. A Northern Ireland Office official sent a briefing letter the following day to the RUC. That letter mentioned the possibility that the priest would be transferred to a Donegal parish.
Mr Kinkaid said there are no records to show that the priest was arrested or questioned about the Claudy bombing or any other paramilitary activity. He stressed at a press conference in Derry yesterday the review of the Claudy case is ongoing and his report is an interim one. He vowed to brief the relatives personally on developments.
The revelations pointing to such a large conspiracy prompted the Ulster Unionist leader to demand a full inquiry along the lines of the Bloody Sunday hearings. Mr David Trimble said: "Nothing else will do." The SDLP also called for fuller investigations but Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams questioned Mr Trimble's motives.
The Catholic Primate Dr Sean Brady expressed shock and said the church would co-operate fully with any investigation. Mr Kinkaid said assistance was being sought from agencies including the British army, which had security primacy at the time, and the Garda.