A former IRA hunger striker today refused to name members of the organisation while giving evidence to the Bloody Sunday Tribunal.
Mr Raymond McCartney, a former IRA commanding officer in the Maze Prison, refused to name those in the hierarchy of the organisation in Derry despite joining the organisation within months of the events of January 30th, 1972.
Mr McCartney said he would name members of the IRA operating in the city at the time under "no circumstances".
Lord Saville said he was grateful to Mr McCartney for joining the call of the families for everyone with information but warned him that he may be asked back and ordered to disclose some of those names, insisting that "the consequences of refusing to answer a question from the inquiry can be quite serious".
Mr McCartney told the inquiry Bloody Sunday was a "contributing factor" in his decision to join the Provisional IRA, and insisted he had no thoughts of joining the organisation before the events of that day.
When asked by counsel for the Saville Inquiry whether he would encourage anyone who has evidence to come forward, Mr McCartney replied "yes".
"I think people should listen to the advice of the families," he said. When asked if this included members of the Provisional IRA, he added: "If I say everybody, I mean everybody".
Mr McCartney was convicted of the murders of Mr Jeffrey Agate and Mr Patrick McNulty in January 1979. He relinquished leadership of the IRA in prison before beginning more than 50 days on hunger strike in 1980. He has been tipped to run as a Sinn Féin candidate in next year's Assembly elections.
PA