Finucane family vow to take fight to Dublin

Murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane's family today pledged to take their fight to Dublin after accusing Northern Ireland …

Murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane's family today pledged to take their fight to Dublin after accusing Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain of resisting demands for major changes to the inquiry into his killing.

The lawyer's wife, Geraldine, and son Michael were left angered by their meeting with Mr Hain, claiming the British government wants to cloak the tribunal in secrecy.

"The secretary of state had every chance in the world to be useful and play a useful role," Michael Finucane said. "All the indications are that he's not willing to do that and neither is the government he represents.

"The only option we have is going to the other government who's a partner in this process and getting Bertie Ahern to change Tony Blair's mind."

READ MORE

Mr Finucane was assassinated by loyalist paramilitaries at his north Belfast home 17 years ago.

Both a retired Canadian Supreme Court judge and former Scotland Yard chief Sir John Stevens detected evidence of security force collaboration with the Ulster Defence Association men involved.

Their findings, which supported a campaign by the Finucanes, saw the British government propose setting up an official hearing into the allegations.

But the family rejected the arrangements, claiming the Inquiries Act passed to run the inquiry would allow the authorities to keep crucial material undisclosed.

Human rights organisations have joined Judge Peter Cory, who investigated the collusion claims, in expressing concerns at how the authorities plan to run the inquiry.