British delay disappoints Cowen
He said: “I am very disappointed with the decision of the British Government to delay action on the judge’s recommendation that a public inquiry be established quickly into the murder of Pat Finucane.
“Judge Cory came to the conclusion that the greater benefit to society would come from public inquiries rather than prosecutions. He said: ‘This may be one of those rare situations where a public inquiry will be of greater benefit to the community than prosecutions.’ I agree with that view.
“Like the other three families involved, [the Finucane family] want and are entitled to see the timely establishment of inquiries into all of the cases, in full accordance with the commitments made by the two governments at Weston Park in August 2001.”
The British Government said a public inquiry would take place once all criminal proceedings relating to the case had been completed.
Mr Cowen commended Judge Peter Cory and said the reports raised “very troubling questions about the rule of law in Northern Ireland”.
Mr Finucane’s widow accused the British Government of continuing to cover up the truth about her husband's death with delaying tactics.
Geraldine Finucane accused Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy of being selective in his interpretation of the report.
She said Mr Murphy had quoted the judge saying that those who commit crimes will be prosecuted.
“However, he did not refer to the fact that Justice Cory also said in his report that ‘this may be one of the rare situations where a public inquiry will be of greater benefit to a community than prosecutions’.”
She added that the report confirmed there was a state policy of targeting and assassination.
She attacked comments made by Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble, who referred to Mr Finucane and Mrs Nelson as having terrorist links.
“David Trimble made very hurtful and untrue statements today which he should be ashamed of.”
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