Martin McGuinness has 'no problem' attending Smithwick

The two officers were murdered by the IRA in south Armagh

Martin McGuinness has said he has "no problem at all" attending the Smithwick Tribunal.

But the Irish Presidential candidate said he had no "direct knowledge" of the circumstances surrounding the killings being investigated.

Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan were killed in an IRA ambush in south Armagh on 20 March, 1989.

The Breen family solicitor called on Mr McGuinness to come forward with any information he has about the murders.

The Smithwick Tribunal is investigating allegations of Garda collusion in the murder of the two officers after they left a meeting in Dundalk Garda station.

John McBurney, solicitor for the Breen family, made his remarks after Martin McGuinness, speaking in a TV interview, said he was "ashamed" about republican involvement in the Enniskillen bombing.

Mr McGuinness said the 1987 bombing, in which 11 people were killed at the Cenotaph, was atrocious.

He also denied in the RTE interview that he was a senior figure in the IRA at the time.

However, a relative of one of the victims said Mr McGuinness was trying to distance himself from the IRA.

Mr McBurney said the admission "raises questions about whether Mr McGuinness feels ashamed at what happened to Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan".

"It is my understanding that some of the information obtained by the tribunal up to this point, at least one witness has made reference to Martin McGuinness in some general way," said Mr McBurney.

In a statement Martin McGuinness said: "This tribunal, along with others, was established to try and help families get to the truth about the deaths of their loved ones. Republicans have already displayed a willingness to co-operate fully with the work of the Smithwick Tribunal.

"Although I have no direct knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the killings being investigated by the Smithwick Tribunal I have no problem at all attending the tribunal if it is of assistance to the families and to the overall process."

A spokesperson for the Smithwick Tribunal has said it welcomes assistance from any person in a position to provide it.

The Irish government has given the Dublin-based tribunal a deadline of 30 November to complete its investigation.