Pat Finucane Inquiry about to be announced by British Government?

Pat Finucane

MEDIA SPECULATION has suggested that the British Government is to announce an inquiry into the murder of civil rights lawyer Pat Finucane.

Pat Finucane was shot 14 times in his north Belfast home on February 12th 1989. The attack was claimed by the Ulster Defence Association/Ulster Freedom Fighters.

An RUC Special Branch agent and UDA gunman, Ken Barrett, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2004 for the murder.

On his release in 2007, after serving under three years of a recommended 22-year sentence, Barrett was spirited out of Ireland to a safe haven by the British Ministry of Defence.

Another RUC agent, UDA quartermaster William Stobie – shot dead outside his Belfast home on December 12th 2001 – was also implicated in the killing.

Pat's son, John, said:

We haven't been given any firm indication that the Secretary of State will say yes as to whether there will be an inquiry or not but, frankly, I would be shocked if he could come to any other decision, given that a previous administration as far back as 2004 told the House of Commons that there would be an inquiry into my father's murder.

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said:

A commitment was made to establish an inquiry into Pat’s murder in 2004 – it is totally unacceptable that the British Government is continuing to stall on this issue.

Pat’s family deserve truth and they deserve justice. The prolonged delay by British Secretary of State is completely unacceptable and only delays the process of truth and justice.

All of those who strive for justice will hope that Pat's family will be brought the justice they have waited on for so long.