13.1.04
Irish American Information Service
CORY GOES OVER BRITISH GOV.T'S HEAD
01/12/04 22:21 EST
The families of attorneys Pat Finucane, Rosemary Nelson and of Robert Hamill and Billy Wright have been told by judge Peter Cory that he has recommended public inquiries into their murders.
Judge Cory was so annoyed at the British government's delay in releasing his reports into the controversial killings that he personally contacted the families yesterday to tell them of his recommendations.
The retired Canadian judge has examined allegations of collusion surrounding some of the most controversial killings of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The British government has cited a series of legal reasons for not publishing the reports into the Finucane, Nelson, Hamill and Wright killings.
A Downing Street spokesperson said last night: "The prime minister has made it clear that we will publish the reports as soon as the legal position is complete."
All the families welcomed Judge Cory's personal actions.
Solicitor Mr Michael Finucane, son of Pat Finucane who was murdered in front of his family by the UDA in 1989 amid claims of British security force collusion, said Judge Cory told him he was motivated in his actions primarily by reasons of humanity and fairness to the families.
"I got a call from Judge Cory out of the blue about 3.30 [p.m.]," said Mr Finucane. "He said he had informed the Northern Ireland Office that he was going to make the families aware of the bottom line in his report because he felt it was the humane thing to do."
Judge Cory told the families of his recommendations but did not go into the detail of his report. Mr Finucane said the British government's stance on the report indicated that he could have little faith that it would order an independent and impartial inquiry - the British has made a commitment to abide by the judge's recommendations.
"I don't think the concepts of independence and impartiality are compatible with how the British government does its business," said Mr Finucane.
"I think the fact that Judge Cory felt compelled to contact us shows up the British government as being, at the very least, guilty of bad faith and, at worst, duplicity and lies," he added.
Mr Finucane described Judge Cory as a man of "unquestionable integrity". But Mr Finucane said he was concerned that if an inquiry were called the British government would attempt to restrict its remit.
In December, the Irish Government accepted Judge Cory's recommendation for an independent inquiry into the deaths of senior RUC officers, Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan, who drovwe into an IRA ambush close to the Border following a meeting with Irish Gardai in Dundalk in the Irish Republic in 1989.
CORY GOES OVER BRITISH GOV.T'S HEAD
01/12/04 22:21 EST
The families of attorneys Pat Finucane, Rosemary Nelson and of Robert Hamill and Billy Wright have been told by judge Peter Cory that he has recommended public inquiries into their murders.
Judge Cory was so annoyed at the British government's delay in releasing his reports into the controversial killings that he personally contacted the families yesterday to tell them of his recommendations.
The retired Canadian judge has examined allegations of collusion surrounding some of the most controversial killings of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The British government has cited a series of legal reasons for not publishing the reports into the Finucane, Nelson, Hamill and Wright killings.
A Downing Street spokesperson said last night: "The prime minister has made it clear that we will publish the reports as soon as the legal position is complete."
All the families welcomed Judge Cory's personal actions.
Solicitor Mr Michael Finucane, son of Pat Finucane who was murdered in front of his family by the UDA in 1989 amid claims of British security force collusion, said Judge Cory told him he was motivated in his actions primarily by reasons of humanity and fairness to the families.
"I got a call from Judge Cory out of the blue about 3.30 [p.m.]," said Mr Finucane. "He said he had informed the Northern Ireland Office that he was going to make the families aware of the bottom line in his report because he felt it was the humane thing to do."
Judge Cory told the families of his recommendations but did not go into the detail of his report. Mr Finucane said the British government's stance on the report indicated that he could have little faith that it would order an independent and impartial inquiry - the British has made a commitment to abide by the judge's recommendations.
"I don't think the concepts of independence and impartiality are compatible with how the British government does its business," said Mr Finucane.
"I think the fact that Judge Cory felt compelled to contact us shows up the British government as being, at the very least, guilty of bad faith and, at worst, duplicity and lies," he added.
Mr Finucane described Judge Cory as a man of "unquestionable integrity". But Mr Finucane said he was concerned that if an inquiry were called the British government would attempt to restrict its remit.
In December, the Irish Government accepted Judge Cory's recommendation for an independent inquiry into the deaths of senior RUC officers, Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan, who drovwe into an IRA ambush close to the Border following a meeting with Irish Gardai in Dundalk in the Irish Republic in 1989.
