'Real IRA' denies any threat to Saville witnesses

The "Real IRA" has said it does not pose a threat to witnesses due to give evidence to the Saville Inquiry, it has been reported…

The "Real IRA" has said it does not pose a threat to witnesses due to give evidence to the Saville Inquiry, it has been reported.

A statement, reported by the BBC, said the "Real IRA" had "no intention of interfering in any way with any witness to the Saville Inquiry". It said: "This includes soldiers and police witnesses".

The group said it hoped its statement would end "British government attempts to use non-existent threats to stop the truth emerging about what happened on Bloody Sunday".

In a statement, the group said claims by members of the security forces they would be in danger if they gave evidence in public were a smokescreen.

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The inquiry is investigating the events of Bloody Sunday in Derry on January 30th, 1972, when 13 civilians were shot dead by the British army. A 14th died later.

Police officers have won the right to give their evidence from behind screens at Derry's Guildhall. British soldiers, on duty in Derry on Bloody Sunday, won the right to give their evidence in London.