07/02/2006

Finucane family anger following Hain meeting

The family of murdered North Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane met with Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain today as they continued to seek a full public inquiry into loyalist collusion with police and the British army in the 17-year-old murder case.

The Finucane family believe that an inquiry held under a new British Act of parliament, will cover up vital evidence and prevent the truth from being told.

Following the 45-minute meeting with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Geraldine and Michael Finucane said that they were seeking a meeting with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, as they felt that the Secretary of State was resisting demands for changes to the the inquiry.

Mr Finucane, aged 39, was shot dead in front of his family by loyalist paramilitaries at his North Belfast home in 1989.

The murder of the solicitor was one of the most highly documented and controversial killings throughout the troubles, due to suspicions of loyalist and security force collusion.

Retired Canadian Judge, Peter Cory, along with nationalist politicians and human rights campaigners, have raised concerns over the governments proposals to ensure that the tribunal into Mr Finucane's death is held under the Inquiries Act, which was passed earlier this year.

It is believed that the Act will enable the government to withhold crucial information, which the family feel should be placed in the public domain.

(EF/SP)

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