McGuinness Met 'Claudy Bombing Priest'

The Stormont Deputy First Minister, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has said he forgot a deathbed conversation with the priest suspected of being involved in the 1972 Claudy bombing.

Despite Mr McGuinness telling the BBC in 2002 he had never met Fr James Chesney, on Wednesday he revealed they had met.

Then, speaking to BBC Radio Foyle today, he insisted that there was no suspicion about Fr Chesney at that time and only recalled the meeting in recent years when further allegations emerged: "It was an omission on my part and it was a mistake," he said.

The Sinn Fein MP, who is thought to have been an IRA commander in the area at the time, also maintained that the Derry brigade of the IRA had no "hand, act or part" in Claudy.

Last month, a report by the NI Police Ombudsman Al Hutchinson claimed that senior police officers, the Catholic Church and the Government were involved in a cover-up, protected the rogue cleric from even being questioned about the bombings.

Father Chesney was transferred to another parish across the Irish border in Co Donegal. He died in 1982.

Mr McGuinness said: "I never knew Father Chesney before Claudy. I never knew Father Chesney for many years after the bombing.

"I was asked, whenever I was told that Father Chesney was dying, I was told he was a republican sympathiser, would I go and see him and meet with him in Co Donegal.

"I did that. There was no mention whatsoever of the Claudy bomb. During the course of that, he just talked about his support for a united Ireland."

Asked if he had any information specifically about Claudy, Mr McGuinness said: "The Derry brigade of the IRA on a number of occasions since the Claudy bomb said they had no hand, act or part in it. I absolutely believe that."

The former Bishop of Derry, Edward Daly, has also said he has doubts about allegations of a priest's involvement in the IRA.

However, earlier this month, PM David Cameron was formally asked to facilitate a 'full and open' investigation into the Claudy atrocity.

Just over a week after the launch of the Police Ombudsman's findings into the decimating triple car bomb attack of July 31, 1972, Ulster Unionist Alderman Mary Hamilton said: "Since the publication of the Report, I have had time to reflect and feel a growing dissatisfaction and unease at the outcome of a Report which raises more questions than answers."

The Ulster Unionist councillor, who has sent a formal letter calling for an inquiry into the bombings, admitted she found it hard to believe the priest did not divulge relevant information to Mr McGuinness.

"I am quite sure if Chesney was a dying man, as Mr McGuinness claims, then I am sure he probably confessed to him."

The Secretary of State has previously ruled out a public inquiry into the cover-up surrounding the 1972 Claudy bombing, amid calls for answers from survivors of the attack.

Owen Paterson, who made an apology to the Claudy families on behalf of the UK Government, has said a further inquiry will not take place as it "wouldn't have anyone to interview."

See: RUC 'Scapegoat' For Claudy

(BMcC/KMcA)