Finucane murder: Loyalist to face trial
An alleged loyalist hitman is going on trial today for the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.
Ken Barrett, 41, is accused of being one of two gunmen who shot dead the father of three at his home in the north of the city in February 1989.
Mr Finucane’s killing is one of the most controversial crimes of the Northern Ireland Troubles due to claims that police and military intelligence colluded with the paramilitaries who carried out the shooting.
Britain’s top police officer, John Stevens found evidence of collaboration in a report issued last April following an exhaustive probe into the affair.
Retired Canadian Judge, Peter Cory, backed his assessment, citing evidence that MI5, the army and RUC Special Branch were all aware of the plot but did nothing to save the lawyer.
The intelligence services preferred to protect their loyalist informers, the judge concluded.
Despite his recommendations that a public inquiry demanded by the Finucane family was needed, the British government has refused to set up such a tribunal until after Barrett’s trial is over.
It was officers from Stevens' team posing as international drug dealers who obtained an alleged murder confession from the north Belfast loyalist.
Barrett, who has denied the charge at earlier court hearings, has also been charged with attempted murder, stealing army weapons and membership of the loyalist terrorist Ulster Freedom Fighters.
His trial is due to be heard at Belfast Crown Court.
