People Before Profit representatives in the Stormont Assembly and the Dáil have condemned the decision announced tonight by the British Government and Brandon Lewis not to hold an inquiry into the murder of Belfast Solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989.
West Belfast MLA Gerry Carroll said, “This is a shameful decision. The Finucane family have already waited far too long for truth and this decision will only prolong their struggle and their pain.
“The evidence regarding the murder of Pat Finucane points to state murder and an appalling level of collusion from the very heart of the British establishment. This calculated move to block an inquiry begs the question: how far are they willing to go to cover up that collusion and state murder carried out with impunity?
“We shouldn’t be surprised by this callous move. The British empire was one where the sun never set and the blood never dried. Today, the British Government continues to cover up its crimes in Ireland, perhaps because the same establishment continues to collude in murder in other parts of the world.”
Brid Smith TD called on the Irish Government to make the issue a priority in any future talks with Johnson’s Government. She stated “for over 30 years British Governments have dragged their feet and tried to cover up the collusion at the heart of this case, but this is the ultimate insult to Pat Finucane’s family, and to other victims of collusion.
“We need more than polite words or condemnation from the Irish Government and I am calling directly on Michéal Martin to take a stand on this outrageous decision.”
Brid Smith also added “This refusal by Johnson and the Tories should not be accepted. Just as they tried to stop justice for Bloody Sunday victims they are trying to stop Justice for Pat and his family; and just as they failed then, they will fail here.”
She said People Before Profit would seek to have the issue raised in the Dail this week.
Gerry Carroll added a message of solidarity to the Finucane family and other campaigners saying “we send our full Solidarity today to the Finucane family, their campaigners and all victims of state violence. It is in all our interests to stand with them today and for as long as their fight goes on”.
ENDS
