Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has described claims that state bodies are attempting to ‘run down the clock’ until the Legacy Act is enacted as ‘cynical and cruel’.

The North Belfast MP said:

“I welcome and agree with the assessment of former Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan that state bodies are attempting to ‘run down the clock’ until the Legacy Act is enacted. This is a cynical and cruel move.

“Sinn Féin have said for some time that a consequence of the British government’s shameful Legacy Act is to incentivise state bodies to ‘run down the clock’, and to avoid their legal duties in our courts.

“Heartbroken families have been fighting for years, determined to get truth and justice for their loved ones. 

“With the British government’s Legacy Act shutting inquests from the start of May, state bodies now seem hell-bent on shutting down any form of truth and justice even before that date.

“This is yet another example that the Act’s interests were never in the interests of victims and families, rather in the interests of British state forces involved in the murder of, and serious human rights violations against, Irish citizens. 

“The shameful Legacy Act is a flagrant breach of international human rights law. The Irish government’s interstate case is a welcome step in challenging this.

“We will continue to stand with those families as they challenge this cruel and cynical law, and as they continue to campaign with dignity and determination for truth and justice.”