An Official IRA gunman threatened to kill a rival member of the Provisional IRA who confronted him after he opened fire on Bloody Sunday, the Saville Inquiry heard today.
The claim was made by a former Provisional IRA man, who said he clashed with a member of the Officials who had just fired a shot at the Army.
The man known to the Inquiry as PIRA1, who was giving evidence from behind a screen to protect his identity, said the incident took place at Columbcille Court in the Bogside.
He said he felt angry that the gunman had opened fire because there had been an
understanding that the Provos and the Officials had agreed not to take any action during the civil rights march as this would endanger the lives of civilians.
"There was a heated exchange of words. I don't recall exactly what was said but I probably used a few choice adjectives," he said.
"The gist of it was asking him what the hell he was doing with the march going on."
He added that the gunman did not say who he had shot at or if he had hit anyone.
"At one point I think he pointed the gun into my stomach and threatened to shoot me, I may have had my hand on the gun. I am not sure.
"He defended his decision to fire a shot by referring to the fact that the army had already shot two people. He said that the army were not going to get away with it."
On Monday the Inquiry granted permission for PIRA1 to give evidence anonymously and to be screened after he argued his life would be endangered if his identity was revealed.
The Inquiry is investigating the events of January 30th, 1972 when 13 unarmed civilians were shot dead by members of the Parachute Regiment. A 14th man died later of his injuries.
PA