Sinn Féin News, 24. September 2004
Finucane family skeptical about planned inquiry
The family of Pat Finucane reacted with concern and skepticism following the announcement yesterday by British Secretary of State Paul Murphy of an inquiry into the murder of the Belfast solicitor. Mr Murphy refused to call for a "public inquiry" and insisted on special legislation to protect "national security".
Mr Finucane, 39, was shot dead in front of his wife and their three children as they ate dinner at their north Belfast home in February 1989. The family has long been demanding a full, public, independent inquiry from the British government. The killing cores to the heart of the British government's policy of collusion with unionist death squads to target and kill political opponents and civilians in the north of IrelandThe family said yesterday the fact that Paul Murphy had not announced a "public" inquiry meant that the British probably did not intend to have a proper inquiry.
Last Thursday at the Leeds Castle talks, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams raised the demand for an inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. After discussions, Mr Blair agreed to the inquiry. Mr Adams asked British officials to contact the Finucane family to discuss the details and reiterated the party's support for the family and it's demand for a full, public, independent inquiry.
Last night Mr Finucane's widow, Geraldine, said she would not participate in any inquiry which fell short of the family's demands, as it would be a "fiasco and a circus".
Both the family and Sinn Féin stated there was no need for the new legislation Mr Murphy had requested and that the special legislation could only be interpreted as an attempt to cover up and lie.
Amnesty International reacted with "great suspision" to the annoucement. They said the failure to set up a public inquiry would amount to reneging on their commitment to fully comply with Justice Peter Cory's recommendation and that the public interest could only be served by ensuring public scrutiny of the full circumstances of Pat Finucane's killing and its aftermath.
Sinn Féin's Mitchel McLaughlin said the track record of successive British governments in dealing with the issue of collusion, and specifically the killing of Pat Finucane has been one of denial, concealment and cover up.
"Any inquiry and the legislation it will be based on will be judged against its ability to uncover the full truth about collusion and the killing of Pat Finucane. Public interest demands full disclosure. Any effective inquiry requires that the British government, its departments and agencies co-operate fully."
"An informed judgement on the ability of this inquiry to delivery the truth can only be made when the legislation is published. In all of this Sinn Fein will continue to support the position of the family of Pat Finucane" Mr McLaughlin said.