VICTIMS campaigner Willie Frazer will give evidence to a Dublin-based public inquiry into claims of collusion between the Garda and the IRA later this year, the News Letter can confirm.
Mr Frazer said that he wants to address several allegations made against him during public hearings at the tribunal.
One of the Garda accused of collusion alleged that the Markethill victims campaigner was involved with a group he called the Red Hand Commanders.
Mr Frazer said he wants to address the allegations made against him, and also said he had other information to give to the tribunal about alleged IRA/Garda collusion on the border.
The Smithwick Tribunal is probing claims of collusion between the Garda and IRA, specifically in terms of the murder of the two most senior RUC officers to be killed during the Troubles.
Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan were murdered in an IRA ambush on the Edenappa Road close to Jonesborough as they returned to Northern Ireland following a meeting at Dundalk Garda station. No-one has ever been convicted of their killings.
Three former Garda sergeants have been named by the tribunal: Owen Corrigan, Leo Colton and Finbarr Hickey. All three strongly deny the allegation. Mr Corrigan has successfully defended his good name in libel proceedings.
The tribunal is expected to resume public hearings during the week beginning Monday, September 17 at its headquarters on Blackhall Place in Dublin.
Hearings ended in July with evidence from Mr Corrigan. The retired Garda detective sergeant is expected to continue giving evidence, while a number of other witnesses, including Mr Frazer, will also give evidence.
The tribunal was granted its second extension by the Irish government in May. It has been sitting since 2005 although public hearings opened in June 2011. Since then it has heard from almost 200 witnesses, mostly former members of the Garda and RUC, but also politicians Jeffrey Donaldson and Jimmy Spratt; former double agent Kevin Fulton, also known as Peter Keeley; former IRA terrorist Patrick ‘Mooch’ Blair; and dissident chief Michael McKevitt.
The final report, which was initially due last November, must be completed by October 31 this year.