The widow of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane has said it is time for the truth to come out about his killing after “35 years of cover-ups”.
Geraldine Finucane was speaking after the Government ordered a public inquiry into the collusion-linked loyalist paramilitary murder of the lawyer in 1989.
Mr Finucane, 39, was shot dead at his family home in north Belfast by the Ulster Defence Association in an attack found by a series of probes to have involved collusion with the state. His widow and the couple’s three children have been campaigning for decades for a public inquiry to establish the extent of security force involvement.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn made the announcement to the House of Commons. Speaking later in Belfast, Mrs Finucane said it had been a “long journey” to this point.
She said: “I look forward to having the opportunity to participate in a statutory inquiry and expose publicly the whole truth behind the murder of my husband. This has always been the objective of the campaign that my family and I have pursued for the last 35 years. We have only ever been concerned with uncovering the truth. It is this that has kept us going. It is the thing that has been missing, all these years.”
Mrs Finucane became emotional as she delivered her statement. She said she did not believe the murder of her husband was “simply the work of gunmen who killed him”. She added: “An independent, statutory public inquiry is and was the only way to bring the whole truth behind the murder of Pat Finucane into the light of day.”
A Watershed Moment for Legacy Cases
Mrs Finucane said she believed the public inquiry could be a “watershed moment” in dealing with legacy cases in Northern Ireland. “If a public inquiry in to the murder of Pat Finucane can finally publicly examine all of the collusion that plagued our society for so many years, then there is hope that the real process of healing can begin,” she said. “The murder of Pat Finucane is the last remaining Weston Park case. It is high time it was properly investigated, publicly examined, and finally resolved. I believe that my family deserve this after so many years. Pat Finucane deserves this after so many years. Society as a whole deserves this, after so many years. After 35 years of cover-ups, it is time for truth.”
Background and Legal Proceedings
The announcement of the public inquiry comes after a long and arduous legal battle by the Finucane family. In 2001, the Weston Park Agreement between the British and Irish governments committed to a public inquiry into Mr Finucane’s murder. However, the UK government later reversed this decision, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Supreme Court eventually ruled that the government was justified in its decision to not hold a public inquiry but ultimately left it up to the government to determine what form of investigation was now required.
In 2012, a review found evidence of “shocking levels of state collusion” in the murder, prompting an apology from then-Prime Minister David Cameron. But this apology did not appease the family, who continued to push for a public inquiry. The government’s reluctance to fulfill its commitment to the inquiry was seen by many as a failure to address the legacy of the Troubles and a lack of accountability for state collusion.
A Long-Awaited Inquiry
The government’s decision to finally order a public inquiry into Mr Finucane’s murder has been welcomed by the Finucane family, human rights groups, and political leaders across the spectrum. Mr Benn stated in his announcement that the government has a “human rights obligation” to address the outstanding concerns surrounding the case. However, it is important to note that this inquiry is being conducted under the 2005 Inquiries Act, which has been criticized for its limited scope and lack of independence.
This inquiry has the potential to shed light on the extent of state collusion in Mr Finucane’s murder and may have broader implications for how the UK government addresses legacy cases in Northern Ireland. The inquiry is expected to examine the role of the security forces, the police, and the intelligence services in the murder and determine whether there was any collusion between these agencies and the loyalist paramilitaries who carried out the attack. It will also look at whether there was any failure on the part of the government to protect Mr Finucane from harm.
A New Chapter for the Finucane Family
The long-awaited public inquiry offers a chance for the Finucane family to finally get answers about the murder of their husband and father. It is a testament to their perseverance and unwavering commitment to seeking truth and justice. However, the inquiry faces a difficult task in navigating a complex and politically charged legacy. The findings of the inquiry could have a significant impact on the Northern Ireland peace process and the reconciliation of the past.
A Future of Truth and Justice
The public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane represents a significant step forward in addressing the legacy of the Troubles. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the truth of what happened, hold those responsible accountable, and provide some measure of closure for the victims and their families. While the path to healing is long and complex, the pursuit of truth and justice remains an essential element in building a more peaceful and just future for Northern Ireland.
