A retired taxi driver today told the Saville Inquiry he saw IRA weapons being moved out of Derry's Bogside ahead of the march that turned into Bloody Sunday.
Six cars were used to carry the weapons, wrapped in plastic bags, from the district to the neighbouring Creggan estate in the early hours of Sunday January 30th 1972, Mr Frankie Boyle told the Saville Inquiry.
Mr Boyle, who was 34 and on the night shift in City Cabs at the time, said 25 men and four women were involved in the operation, which happened at about 2 a.m. and involved three or four runs.
He told the hearing in Derry's Guildhall: "It was obvious what was happening as there was a lot of movement and these were the only cars around.
"I think they must have been tipped off that paratroopers were going to be involved in the march."
Thirteen unarmed civilian Catholic men and youths were shot dead by British soldiers during the demonstration that afternoon when members of 1 Para went into the Bogside on what was designated an arrest operation.
Soldiers who opened fire have always maintained they came under attack first, but Mr Boyle's account supports claims the IRA resolved to stay away from the parade.
Sinn Féin's Mr Martin McGuinness, who has admitted having been the Provisional IRA's second-in-command in the city at the time, has said orders were issued for guns to be removed ahead of the march.
PA