Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD has welcomed today’s announcement that an independent statutory public inquiry will finally be established into the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane.

Teachta McDonald said:

“I welcome the announcement today that an independent statutory public inquiry will finally be established into the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane.

“For 35 years, Mrs. Geraldine Finucane and her family have led a dignified and determined campaign for truth and justice, seeking a public inquiry into Pat’s murder, efforts Sinn Féin have strongly supported throughout this time.

“I raised the case with the British Prime Minister when we met in July, and I also wrote to An Taoiseach urging him to do the same when he met Keir Starmer.

“In 2019, the Supreme Court in London declared that previous investigations commissioned by successive British Governments failed to meet the standards required by Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

“In July, Justice Horner in the Court of Appeal set out a timetable for action, requiring the British Government to respond within three weeks and agree to an Article 2 compliant investigation into Mr. Finucane’s murder.

“I welcome the decision by the British Secretary of State Hilary Benn to now act in respect of this judgement. An Independent, statutory public inquiry is the only way to achieve the whole truth behind the murder of Pat Finucane.”