SCOTLAND YARD yesterday dismissed as "outrageous speculation" media reports that IRA member Mr Diarmuid O'Neill, shot dead by police in London, was involved in the Canary Wharf bombing.
The Scotland Yard spokesman said that anti terrorist officers had another three days to continue questioning five other suspected IRA men arrested during Monday's operation.
However, he refused to comment on reports that Mr O'Neill was unarmed when he was shot by officers, allegedly at least six times. "We have seen the reports but are unable to discuss the circumstances surrounding Mr O'Neill's death because it is subject to an inquiry by the Police Complaints Authority."
A PCA spokeswoman also refused to state whether Mr O'Neill was unarmed, but confirmed that the investigation hoped to be able to interview two witnesses to the shooting. They are both being questioned by anti terrorist officers.
"In a situation such as this we look at the wider issues, than whether the deceased was armed, like what was going through the policeman's mind. Taking a life is never good but we look at all of the issues," she added.
Fifteen to 20 officers were involved in the early morning raid on the guest house in Hammersmith, west London, where Mr O'Neill was living. According to police sources they had been warned that the occupants might be armed and could be dangerous. All the officers had made statements to the inquiry about the shooting and had been offered legal advice by the Police Federation.
The Basque separatist group, ETA, printed a death notice for Mr O'Neill in its newspaper Egin yesterday. Alongside a picture of a Tricolour, the notice read: "Ginger. Killed by English police 23 September. We'll never forget you. Friends from Amorebieta."
Forensic scientists are still examining Mr O'Neill's room but it is understood they have been able to link him to 10 tonnes of Semtex, several guns and other bomb making equipment discovered in an industrial warehouse in Hornsey, north London.