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23/09/2004
Inquiry set up into Finucane murder
The government has announced that an inquiry is to be set up into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.
Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy said a tribunal would be tasked with uncovering the full facts of the killing and that it would be given "all of the powers and resources to fulfil that task".
In a statement released on Thursday, the government said that because of the requirements of national security it would be necessary to hold the inquiry on the basis of new legislation to be introduced shortly.
Last week, loyalist killer Ken Barrett was sentenced to 22 years in jail for the murder of Mr Finucane at his north Belfast home in February 1989.
Mr Barrett had already entered a guilty plea at the beginning of his trial in Belfast Crown Court despite having denied the murder at previous hearings.
During sentence proceedings Mr Justice Weir described Mr Finucane's murder as "cruel and callous".
Following the court sentencing Mr Justice Weir conceded that Barrett could be free within months under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, but said that this was "entirely outside the control of the Criminal Courts".
Mr Finucane's murder has remained one of the most controversial killings in the history of the Troubles because of the allegations of collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and members of the security forces.
His widow Geraldine immediately challenged the government's decision to delay a public inquiry into her husband's death. The inquiry was recommended by retired Canadian judge Peter Cory earlier this year.
(MB/GMCG)
Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy said a tribunal would be tasked with uncovering the full facts of the killing and that it would be given "all of the powers and resources to fulfil that task".
In a statement released on Thursday, the government said that because of the requirements of national security it would be necessary to hold the inquiry on the basis of new legislation to be introduced shortly.
Last week, loyalist killer Ken Barrett was sentenced to 22 years in jail for the murder of Mr Finucane at his north Belfast home in February 1989.
Mr Barrett had already entered a guilty plea at the beginning of his trial in Belfast Crown Court despite having denied the murder at previous hearings.
During sentence proceedings Mr Justice Weir described Mr Finucane's murder as "cruel and callous".
Following the court sentencing Mr Justice Weir conceded that Barrett could be free within months under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, but said that this was "entirely outside the control of the Criminal Courts".
Mr Finucane's murder has remained one of the most controversial killings in the history of the Troubles because of the allegations of collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and members of the security forces.
His widow Geraldine immediately challenged the government's decision to delay a public inquiry into her husband's death. The inquiry was recommended by retired Canadian judge Peter Cory earlier this year.
(MB/GMCG)
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23 February 2004
Finucane family press Stevens on murder inquiry progress
The family of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane have met with Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir John Stevens to discuss the progress of the investigation into his murder.
Finucane family press Stevens on murder inquiry progress
The family of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane have met with Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir John Stevens to discuss the progress of the investigation into his murder.
27 March 2002
Pat Finucane inquiry team arrest senior UDA man
A senior loyalist paramilitary has been arrested for questioning about the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane. PSNI officers arrested the leading member of the Ulster Defence Association in the early hours of Wednesday March 27.
Pat Finucane inquiry team arrest senior UDA man
A senior loyalist paramilitary has been arrested for questioning about the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane. PSNI officers arrested the leading member of the Ulster Defence Association in the early hours of Wednesday March 27.
11 October 2011
Finucane Family Await Inquiry Decision
The family of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane have called for 'transparency' should an inquiry be launched into his death. "The British Government must be fully transparent if they choose to launch an inquiry into my father’s murder," said John Finucane.
Finucane Family Await Inquiry Decision
The family of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane have called for 'transparency' should an inquiry be launched into his death. "The British Government must be fully transparent if they choose to launch an inquiry into my father’s murder," said John Finucane.
26 November 2001
Finucane accused case collapses
The case against the man charged with aiding and abetting in the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane 12 years ago has collapsed. Lord Chief Justice Sir Robert Carswell returned a verdict of not guilty in the absence of evidence against William Stobie at Belfast Crown Court on Monday November 26.
Finucane accused case collapses
The case against the man charged with aiding and abetting in the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane 12 years ago has collapsed. Lord Chief Justice Sir Robert Carswell returned a verdict of not guilty in the absence of evidence against William Stobie at Belfast Crown Court on Monday November 26.
16 September 2004
Barrett gets life sentence for Finucane murder
Loyalist killer Ken Barrett has been sentenced to 22 years in jail for the murder of Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane at his north Belfast home in February 1989. Mr Barrett entered a guilty plea at the beginning of his trial in the Crown Court in Belfast on Monday, having denied the murder at previous hearings.
Barrett gets life sentence for Finucane murder
Loyalist killer Ken Barrett has been sentenced to 22 years in jail for the murder of Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane at his north Belfast home in February 1989. Mr Barrett entered a guilty plea at the beginning of his trial in the Crown Court in Belfast on Monday, having denied the murder at previous hearings.
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