Finucane

“the #HET did not act legally in examining state killings”

John Ó Néill on July 3, 2013, 3:25 pm | Readers 84

Inconsistencies and shortcomings in policies, systems and practices threaten the legitimacy of the Historical Enquiries Team’s work, and risk undermining the confidence of the families of those who died during ‘the troubles’ in its effectiveness and impartiality. So says the Inspector of Constabulary about the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) in a report issued today. Originally requested by the Chief Constable, the report looked at the work of the HET in cases with state involvement to see if it meets the requirements …

After Finucane, “a new disaster waiting to happen, ” warns Justice lobby group. But why not a new inquest?

Brian Walker on December 17, 2012, 1:51 pm | Readers 33

The de Silva report presents a challenge to the legal establishment and others in Northern Ireland over how to proceed in the light of the UK government’s refusal to hold a public inquiry. Accountability concerns are not confined to history. They remain a live issue today since the devolution of policing and justice. One of the key issues is to how to subject the police and security service’s covert operations to critical examination to prevent such gross abuses in future. “Moving …

Finucane controversy won’t die down

Brian Walker on December 13, 2012, 12:02 pm | Readers 186

Continuing demands for a “full independent international inquiry” into the murder of Pat Finucane are unlikely to be stilled to allow police and prosecuting authorities to consider what to. From their reactions yesterday we can be certain that unionist politicians will characterise the prominence given to the case as “one sided justice” and will heighten their demands for more aggressive action over IRA murders. Political division over the Finucane case has surfaced as we knew it would, further complicating any …

#Finucane: this report is a sham, this report is a whitewash

John Ó Néill on December 12, 2012, 4:58 pm | Readers 84

So now we’ve had the publication of the latest report into the killing of Pat Finuance in 1989 courtsey of Rt Hon Desmond de Silva QC (full text here). The surprise that David Cameron articulated in the Commons today, much like with Saville, is merely the formal admission of what has long been accepted by most other people. Pat’s widow Geraldine made a statement on behalf of the Finucane family today, which can be viewed here. The Finucanes are critical of the reports …

Finucane: facts we need to know updated

Brian Walker on December 12, 2012, 3:09 pm | Readers 95

In the light of David Cameron’s statement, to keep my head above water in the flood of information and angry comment I itemise questions of fact I‘d like to keep sight of. Perhaps others can add to them. Update I intend to add to the list myself as I plough through the review and review comment. I’ll add convincing answers as they emerge. The Q&A will not all be about new material but will also include matters which deserve repetition …

De Silva report reveals that 85% of UDA intelligence in late 70s sourced in state material.

Mick Fealty on December 12, 2012, 1:22 pm | Readers 157

Cameron’s just delivered the headline findings of the Finucane inquiry. Some of it is frankly, shocking. The details of the killing itself is less shocking (only because we’ve become so familiar) than some of the wider contextual information. The thing that stunned me was the fact that 85% of the intelligence held by the UDA in the 1970s was sourced within the state and that de Silva is “satisfied that this proportion would have remained largely unchanged” by the time …

Cameron’s decision on Finucane case insults family, betrays us all

Patrick Corrigan on October 11, 2011, 5:58 pm | Readers 33

When a lawyer is murdered in any country, it should be a matter of great public concern, seen rightly as an attack on the entire legal system. When there is clear evidence pointing towards the collusion of a range of agents of the State in that murder, then the mood should become one of national outrage. When the killing, alleged collusion and cover-up is happening not in Latin America or Russia, but within the UK, then one might expect that …

Last major inquiry into the Troubles now in prospect

Brian Walker on November 11, 2010, 1:51 pm | Readers 30

Owen Paterson has quietly made two of the most significant announcements of his term as NI Secretary, however long it lasts. The verdict on holding a Finucane Inquiry will come in the New Year. The fact that the family appear not to have rejected his publicly undisclosed proposals out of hand this time suggests an inquiry is on the way. This decision is consistent with Westminster’s bi partisan approach on inquiries. It fulfils a pledge. This was the one inquiry …

Finucane result “soon” as Woodward attacks coalition for slow progress on legacy

Brian Walker on November 3, 2010, 9:31 pm | Readers 8

This a full report of the Saville debate and replaces Woodward’s bombshell The unlikely figure of Shaun Woodward has torn open the smooth surface of Westminster consensus by launching an attack on his successor for dilatoriness in tackling the legacy of the Troubles. Despite his criticisms and and government protestations they were moving as fast as posible, the debate yielded few clues about what should replace public inquries in complex controversial cases beyond a suggestion to look again at Eames/Bradley’s legacy commission. There was no …