Man denies Finucane murder

A MAN yesterday denied murdering Belfast lawyer Pat Finucane when he appeared in court.

Ken Barrett, 40, was arrested by detectives from Scotland Yard chief John Stevens' team examining alleged security force collusion with paramilitary killers in Northern Ireland.

Their inquiry centres on the assassination of Mr Finucane in February 1989 one of the most controversial murders in the history of the 30-year conflict.

At Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday senior detectives disclosed they were able to charge Barrett following two covert operations which were launched last year. Detective Inspector Hilary Warnock of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: "Mr Barrett has made certain comments to officers involved in the undercover operation."

Unemployed Barrett was also accused of several other weapons offences and the attempted murders of Thomas McCreery and Elizabeth McEvoy in January 1991.

He was also charged with membership of the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Freedom Fighters. His defence lawyer said he denied all of the accusations.

Barrett had provided a written statement describing himself as a "scapegoat" and the "subject of state victimisation", solicitor Joe Rice said.

Barrett was arrested on Wednesday at an address in Sussex. A 45-year-old woman arrested along with him was questioned and later released pending further inquiries.

Along with the Finucane killing, Barrett was also charged with stealing two SA80 rifles with sights, two empty magazines and two Browning pistols with empty magazines on January 31, 1989, at an Ulster Defence Regiment armoury in Malone Barracks, Belfast.

The swoop came just weeks fter Mr Stevens issued the latest report in his 14-year inquiry into claims the British police and army plotted with loyalist terrorists to murder Catholics at the height of the troubles. His findings confirmed rogue elements in the RUC and shadowy military intelligence units helped loyalist gunmen murder Mr Finucane.

Barrett was remanded in custody until June 27. Mr Rice said a High Court bail application would be lodged within days.