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)