Derry Council calls for full Public Inquiry into murder of Pat Finucane

The motion, tabled by Sinn Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy also called on the British Government to fully implement the Stormont House Agreement’s legacy mechanism so everyone who lost a loved one during the Troubles can get the truth about what happened to them.

Bringing the motion to Council, Colr. Duffy said: “In wanting to move this motion I want to set out the political context. It is often said that North Belfast is a microcosm for what happened here during the Conflict, but what happened that fateful day on Sunday, February 12, 1989 was no ordinary event. Pat Finucane, a human rights lawyer, was assassinated in front of his wife and three children. Pat’s wife Geraldine was also shot that day.”

Colr. Duffy said this was no ordinary event because the assassination was conceived, directed and controlled by a state agent and other establishment agencies. She continued: “I am asking fellow Councillors to send a message to the Finucane family and to the British Government. To the Finucane family we say, we support your demands for truth and justice which will only be achieved through a full public enquiry and to the British government we say, order a full public enquiry now into the state collusion around the assassination of Pat Finucane.”

There was support from many of the parties, with SDLP Councillor Rory Farrell stating: “The SDLP supports the Finucane family in their search for truth, their fight for justice and their demands for an Inquiry.”

DUP Alderman David Ramsey condemned the murder and spoke about the victims who have yet to receive justice for their loved ones. He said: “The DUP supports NI Secretary of State’s decision in relation to the murder of Pat Finucane and urge the Government to press ahead with new legacy structures. 

“Dealing with the past is deeply sensitive, it’s important that a hierarchy of victims is not created. The murder of Patrick Finucane, like all murders during the Troubles, was wrong and we condemn it in the strongest terms. 

“The then Prime Minister, David Cameron apologised in 2012 and as a result of the investigations and reviews Ken Barrett was convicted of the murder and I know that already it has been mentioned about justice and this was justice for the Finucane family.

“We must remember that there are thousands of people tonight in Northern Ireland who have never seen anyone brought to justice for the horrific murder of their loved ones.

“What we now need for all victims is a comprehensive legacy process to deal with all the outstanding cases. 

“Everyone wants justice, how do we get it? That’s the big question. Ultimately, justice will bring forward truth and silence those who would seek to rewrite the past.”

The motion  was passed with 27 votes for, nine against and one abstention.

By Gillian Anderson

Local Democracy Reporter