Ahern, Blair insist North murders probe will go ahead

Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have insisted that an international judge will be appointed to investigate six controversial murders in the North, despite growing opposition to the move.

The two leaders agreed to appoint the judge six months ago, but so far, no progress has been made on the issue.

This has led to accusations that the appointment was a deliberate stalling tactic dreamed up to prevent the truth about the contentious killings from ever being publicly known.

Two of the deaths covered by the plan are the murders of Catholic solicitors Pat Finucane and Rosemary Nelson.

There have long been accusations of British government collusion in the murders, both of which were carried out by loyalist paramilitaries.

Pat Finucane's widow, Geraldine, has already called for a full public inquiry into her husband's murder.

Her call has been supported by the North's Human Rights Commission. Last week, an influential group of US lawyers said there is enough evidence to warrant a public inquiry.