21.10.04
IOL
Ahern 'will back Finucane's decision on inquiry'
21/10/2004 - 16:56:16
The Taoiseach today pledged to support the family of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane, should they not back a limited inquiry into his killing, it was claimed today.
The Taoiseach today pledged to support the family of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane, should they not back a limited inquiry into his killing, it was claimed today.
Mr Finucane’s widow and her two sons told Bertie Ahern this afternoon that they would not co-operate with anything other than a full public inquiry.
The British government is due to publish proposals next month on an inquiry into the 1989 murder – as recommended by Canadian judge Peter Cory.
But Northern Secretary Paul Murphy has already said that parts of the inquiry may be held in private to protect matters of British national security.
If this happens, Michael Finucane warned his family would withdraw and that “the Irish Government has said it will support that position if and when it arises”.
Speaking after an hour-long meeting with the Taoiseach at Government Buildings, Mr Finucane said that the Taoiseach believes “a proper government inquiry is the only mechanism that will address the killing”.
The dead solicitor’s son added that he believed the views of the Government had been “conveyed forcefully” to the British government on the matter.
The Finucane family will also be meeting British Prime Minister Tony Blair on November 2 to discuss the inquiry.
Mr Finucane said it was clear that his father’s killing went to the very heart of the British establishment.
He said: “The Army are involved, the police are involved, MI5 are involved.
“The British establishment is very keen to keep it secret and suppressed and this is why new legislation is being brought in.”
Ahern 'will back Finucane's decision on inquiry'
21/10/2004 - 16:56:16
The Taoiseach today pledged to support the family of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane, should they not back a limited inquiry into his killing, it was claimed today.
The Taoiseach today pledged to support the family of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane, should they not back a limited inquiry into his killing, it was claimed today.
Mr Finucane’s widow and her two sons told Bertie Ahern this afternoon that they would not co-operate with anything other than a full public inquiry.
The British government is due to publish proposals next month on an inquiry into the 1989 murder – as recommended by Canadian judge Peter Cory.
But Northern Secretary Paul Murphy has already said that parts of the inquiry may be held in private to protect matters of British national security.
If this happens, Michael Finucane warned his family would withdraw and that “the Irish Government has said it will support that position if and when it arises”.
Speaking after an hour-long meeting with the Taoiseach at Government Buildings, Mr Finucane said that the Taoiseach believes “a proper government inquiry is the only mechanism that will address the killing”.
The dead solicitor’s son added that he believed the views of the Government had been “conveyed forcefully” to the British government on the matter.
The Finucane family will also be meeting British Prime Minister Tony Blair on November 2 to discuss the inquiry.
Mr Finucane said it was clear that his father’s killing went to the very heart of the British establishment.
He said: “The Army are involved, the police are involved, MI5 are involved.
“The British establishment is very keen to keep it secret and suppressed and this is why new legislation is being brought in.”
