Family fury over 'private' murder probe

A BRITISH Government-sanctioned inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane was criticised last night by the solicitor's family after it emerged it would mostly be held in private.

Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy gave the inquiry the go-ahead, insisting it would be independent. But because the probe would deal with sensitive matters of national security, he said much of it would be held in private.

Mr Finucane's son, Michael, claimed it appeared contrary to Mr Murphy's claims that the inquiry would be government controlled.

"Effectively what we are looking at is an inquiry which is going to be established by government, accountable to government but probably controlled and restricted by government.

"Until we get to ask the prime minister some questions about what exactly his government proposes to do, we can't endorse or agree to co-operate with any form of inquiry. We simply do not know what form of inquiry this is," he said.

Mr Finucane was shot in front of his family in February 1989 by loyalist Ulster Defence Association gunmen. He had represented people accused of republican terror offences in high-profile cases.

An investigation by Metropolitan Police Commissioner John Stevens found that rogue elements of British Army intelligence and the RUC colluded in the murder of the solicitor.

Last week, Ken Barrett received a life sentence after admitting his role in the killing but is expected to be freed early under Good Friday Agreement.

Earlier this year a report by retired Canadian judge Peter Cory also recommended an inquiry.

Judge Cory was asked by the British and Irish Governments at the Weston Park peace talks in 2001 to consider whether there should be a public inquiry.

Mr Murphy said last night: "The inquiry will be independent with probably a High Court judge appointed. Legislation is needed, however, to provide the tribunal with the powers of the four other inquiries in Northern Ireland - Bloody Sunday, Rosemary Nelson, Robert Hamill and Billy Wright.

"Because this case deals with issues of national security, much of the proceedings will have to take place in private."

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern last night said it was important that the legislation needed to set up the inquiry fulfils the commitment at Weston Park that any recommended inquiry be established and Judge Cory's requirement that it be held as quickly as possible.

Describing Mr Finuncane's murder as a case which remains a cause of the most serious concern, Mr Ahern said it necessitates a public inquiry.

Sinn Féin chairman Mitchel McLaughlin said his party was deeply sceptical about the British Government's willingness to get to the truth about collusion in the murders of Mr Finucane and others.