Saville publication date is set

The Inquiry, established in 1988 was the longest of its type in British legal history and took evidence from over 900 people.

The Inquiry which finished taking evidence almost six years ago, will now be published on June 15. The announcement was made by the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Patterson.

MP for Foyle, Mark Durkan has welcomed the announcement and said: "I welcome confirmation of the date of publication of the Saville report and the parliamentary statement marking this.

"The deep feelings and needs of the families of those murdered and the injured need to be properly respected at this time.

"As those most affected cope with the mixed emotions of the next few weeks politicians should spare them partisan speculation about the report and insensitive denigration of the inquiry process.

"I want to welcome the fact that the Secretary of State Owen Paterson will be meeting directly with family representatives to confirm the arrangements for them on the day of the publication.

"I also want to acknowledge the consideration which the previous Secretary of State Shaun Woodward afforded to the families in preparations for publication.

"The Saville report will not just be of great import to the families of the dead and injured on Bloody Sunday but also for the whole city of Derry and the wider country."

The announcement has also been welcomed by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness who said: "The families of those murdered on Bloody Sunday have fought a long and difficult campaign for the truth about the events in Derry 38 years ago."

Mr McGuinness gave evidence at the Inquiry during which he admitted being second in command of the Provisional IRA in the city on that day.

Unionists in Northern Ireland have also criticised the cost of the inquiry, which approached the 200 million mark.

It is understood that an announcement about the publication date is expected shortly, as arrangements are finalised to let the families access the report.

On the morning of the reports publication, the city's Guildhall will be given over to the relatives and their legal teams to study the report before it is handed over to Westminster.

The Saville Inquiry was established to re-examine the events of Bloody Sunday after the widespread discrediting of the initial report into the shootings-The Widgery Report, which was held shortly after the killings in 1972.