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Harris welcomes inquiry into murder of solicitor

Taoiseach Simon Harris has welcomed the decision of the British Government to establish a public inquiry into the 1989 murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.

This is the final outstanding inquiry of those recommended by Judge Cory in 2004. 

Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “I welcome the British Government’s decision today in relation to Pat Finucane." 

Vindication

“Today is a vindication of Geraldine Finucane and her family who have campaigned over decades for truth and justice.  I spoke to John Finucane by phone yesterday evening to underline the enduring importance that I, as Taoiseach, and the Government attach to progress in his father's case.

“This is the beginning of a process and it will be important that, as details are confirmed,  there is confidence that it can meet the standards and independence thresholds essential to an inquiry of this nature.”

He acknowledged the leadership of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Secretary of State Hilary Benn in coming to this decision and said that he and Starmer discussed the case last Saturday in Dublin, in a follow-up to a previous discussion in Chequers in July.