Government opens Finucane inquiry
The Government has announced that the circumstances surrounding the death of Patrick Finucane are to be investigated.
Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy confirmed today that an inquiry will be set up with the task of “uncovering the full facts of what happened” in the controversial murder 15 years ago.
Kenneth Barrett, 41, was sentenced to life in prison for the 1989 murder last week, with a recommendation that he serve a minimum of 22 years.
The shooting of Mr Finucane was one of the most controversial incidents in the 30 years of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. He was a prominent Catholic lawyer, who had defended several suspects with alleged links to the Irish Republican Army.
Persistent rumours that police and security forces colluded in the murder have led to calls for a full public inquiry, calls which have been at least partially answered by the government today.
Mr Murphy insisted that the Government is “determined that where there are allegations of collusion the truth should emerge” and, now that Barrett’s trial has been concluded, it will give the tribunal “all of the powers and resources necessary to fulfil that task”.
“In order that the inquiry can take place speedily and effectively and in a way that takes into account the public interest, including the requirements of national security, it will be necessary to hold the inquiry on the basis of new legislation which will be introduced shortly,” he added.
A report last year, conducted by London police chief Sir John Stevens, concluded that the authorities could have stopped the murder, but the Government claims it could not act on that report until Barrett’s sentence was passed.
Barrett is a former police informer in the province and at the time of the murder was a member of the Ulster Defence Association.
The decision to announce an inquiry though met with stringent criticism from the Conservatives. Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, David Lidington, said that whilst they recognise the grief of the family, he does not believe that “yet another politically motivated public inquiry of the kind announced today will lead either to justice being done or bring about the peace and reconciliation we all want.”
He pointed out that in the same year Patrick Finucane was killed, another 62 people were murdered, including 23 members of the security forces. Mr Lidington added: “There remain 1,800 murders in Northern Ireland for which nobody has ever been convicted. It is difficult to see what comfort the families of all these people will draw from today’s selective announcement.
“We do not, and will never, condone illegal activities by members of the security forces. They have a responsibility to uphold the rule of law and in carrying out their duties must themselves be subject to the rule of law.
“But it would be a travesty if this inquiry became yet another vehicle to denigrate and besmirch the collective reputations of the RUC and the Armed Forces. For thirty years they held the line against vicious and evil terrorism. None of should forget the debt we owe to them.”
Sinn Fein welcomed news of the inquiry, but said that there must be “full disclosure” from all parts of the British government, and said he could not fully judge its response until the relevant legislation is published. Chairman Mitchel McLaughlin, said: “Any inquiry and the legislation it will be based on will be judged against its ability to uncover the full truth about collusion and the killing of Pat Finucane. Public interest demands full disclosure.
“Any effective inquiry requires that the British government, its departments and agencies co-operate fully.”
