Inquiry into Pat Finucane Murder Commences
The inaugural public hearing of the Pat Finucane inquiry has officially commenced.
Sir Gary Hickinbottom, the inquiry chair, emphasized his commitment to acting independently from government influence.
On the steps of the inquiry venue, Pat Finucane's widow described the day as "monumental," expressing concerns that the inquiry might never have taken place and stressing the necessity of addressing unresolved questions surrounding the 1989 murder.
Pat Finucane, a 39-year-old solicitor, was fatally shot at his residence in north Belfast by loyalist paramilitaries in the presence of his wife and children.
Multiple investigations into the case have uncovered evidence suggesting state collusion.
The inquiry is led by Sir Gary Hickinbottom.
In his opening statement, he declared:
"I will make my own decisions without fear or favour."
He further stated that while the inquiry would build upon prior investigations, it would be conducted independently and impartially, free from any external pressures.
Although no specific timeline was provided, Sir Gary committed to working "as quickly and effectively as possible" while maintaining thoroughness and methodical rigor.
Upon conclusion, the inquiry will present findings of fact and recommendations.
Sir Gary acknowledged the profound and lasting impact of Finucane's "brutal" murder in February 1989 on his grieving family.
Most of the inquiry proceedings will be public and streamed online; however, some sessions may be held in private.
The inquiry is based in a facility located in south Belfast.
Sir Gary Hickinbottom is a former Court of Appeals judge who previously chaired the Post Office Overturned Convictions Independent Pecuniary Losses Assessment Panel and the Horizon Convictions Redress Panel.
Supporting the inquiry as assessors are former Police Ombudsman Baroness Nuala O'Loan and international human rights lawyer Francesca Del Mese.
The extended Finucane family arrived at the inquiry on Wednesday via private bus.
Surrounded by her adult children and grandchildren, Geraldine Finucane remarked:
"As you can see by the number of people who are with me today, this is a monumental day for our family.
We have waited 37-and-a-half years for this day and not one of us wanted to miss it."
She added that their family had fought "long and hard" to uncover the truth and achieve justice, which they hope the inquiry will provide.
"We're hoping that all those questions that have never been fully answered will be answered during the inquiry and it will be thorough, and it will satisfy us and then we will have closure,"she said.
Who Was Pat Finucane?
Pat Finucane was a prominent defence solicitor known for representing high-profile IRA members.
He also provided legal representation to loyalists.
In February 1989, he was shot 14 times by two gunmen.
His wife, Geraldine, was also injured during the attack.
One of their sons is John Finucane, a Sinn Féin Member of Parliament.
During an inquest into his death, police dismissed allegations that Pat Finucane was affiliated with the IRA.
In 2012, Sir Desmond de Silva's report on the murder concluded that there was involvement of agents and that police failed to act on intelligence regarding threats.
