Dáil to debate Finucane murder inquiry call
Members of the Dáil are to debate a motion calling for the establishment by the British government of a proper inquiry into the murder of a Belfast solicitor.
TDs will debate tomorrow a private members’ motion urging the British government to take heed of criticism by Pat Finucane’s family and others of their inquiry into security force involvement in his murder by loyalists.
Mr Finucane was gunned down in front of his family in February 1989 by members of the Ulster Freedom Fighters.
UDA hitman Ken Barrett was jailed last year after pleading guilty to the shooting.
However, an investigation by former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens found evidence that the gunmen colluded with members of British military intelligence.
An inquiry was recommended by retired Canadian judge Peter Cory.
However, the Finucane family, Judge Cory, nationalist politicians, the Government and opposition parties in Dublin and human rights organisations have been critical of the British government’s decision to pass a new Inquiries Act in 2005, changing the terms under which a tribunal would be set up.
They believe the legislation gives the British government too much of a say over what evidence will be made available to the inquiry and what can be heard in public.
The family, which has insisted it will not co-operate with the inquiry if it is held under the terms of the 2005 Act, fears crucial evidence will be withheld on the grounds of national security.
The motion which will be debated by TDs tomorrow describes an inquiry set up under the 2005 Act as limited and notes it had been rejected as inadequate by Judge Cory, the Finucane family, the Government and human rights groups.
It backs Government moves to highlight the case in the United States, the United Nations and the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
The motion concludes: “The Dáil calls on the British government to reconsider its position on the Finucane case to take full account of the family’s objections and amend the UK Inquiries Act 2005.
“(It) calls for the immediate establishment of a full, independent, public judicial inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane, as recommended by Judge Cory, which would enjoy the full co-operation of the family and the wider community throughout Ireland and abroad.”
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