PAT FINUCANE MURDER INQUIRY | DECISION DELAYED

Family insists independent probe the way forward

SEAMUS FINUCANE, the brother of assassinated solicitor Pat Finucane, has reiterated the family’s demands for an independent inquiry into the events surrounding Pat’s murder in February 1989.

Seamus Finucane was speaking after it was disclosed that the British Government is to take a further two months to decide whether or not there should be an independent inquiry into the killing.

British Secretary of State Owen Paterson was due to make an announcement on the status of a public inquiry on Tuesday 12th January but delayed it, saying that the extra two months will allow for further consultation.

Seamus Finucane confirmed to An Phoblacht that the two-month extension had been agreed with the family who have been in discussions with the British Government.

“While meetings and discussions to date have been good, we will only know at the conclusion of this process whether or not the British Government are genuine and sincere in terms of their commitment to providing the family with a mechanism that will allow for an independent inquiry into Pat’s murder.”

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly called on Owen Paterson to fulfill British Government commitments and implement the inquiry without any unnecessary delay:

“Pat’s family deserve truth and they deserve justice.”