Irish Slam PM Over Finucane Inquiry Refusal

Relations between the Irish Republic's government and that of the UK have been strained after the Irish hit out at Prime Minister David Cameron over his refusal to order a public inquiry into the controversial murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.

Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has even accused the British Government of ignoring previous promises made during the Weston Park peace talks in 2001.

Signalling a souring in relations between both governments, Mr Gilmore said Dublin had already conveyed its dissatisfaction and disappointment and would be preparing a formal response in the coming days.

"There are sometimes occasions when frank disagreements arise between states," he said.

"This is one on this occasion."

The Finucane family met with Mr Cameron, and when he said that he would only offer a QC-led review of the case - the family halted the meeting after only 30 minutes.

Speaking at a press conference in Belfast, Pat Finucane's widow, Geraldine, described her meeting with Mr Cameron as "one of the most cruel and devastating experiences" of her life.

She said the family had been "lured to Downing Street under false pretences by a disreputable government led by a dishonourable man".

Mr Gilmore said Taoiseach Enda Kenny was only told about the decision during a telephone call from Mr Cameron shortly before the meeting.

Both Mr Kenny and Mr Gilmore have expressed their dissatisfaction personally with Mr Cameron and Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Owen Paterson.

A formal response from Dublin is expected in the next few days followed by a series of top-level meetings.

The Background

Mr Finucane, a Catholic solicitor, was shot dead by loyalists while eating his Sunday dinner in 1989.

His killing was one of the most controversial during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Finucane came to prominence due to successfully challenging the British Government over several important human rights cases in the 1980s.

Pat Finucane's best-known client was the IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands. He also represented other IRA and Irish National Liberation Army hunger strikers who died during the 1981 Maze prison protest, Brian Gillen and the widow of Gervaise McKerr, one of three men shot dead by the RUC in a so-called "shoot-to-kill" incident in 1982.

In 1988 he represented Pat McGeown who was charged in connection with the infamous and bloody Army Corporals killings.

Mr Finucane was shot 14 times as he sat eating a meal at his Belfast home with his three children and wife, who was wounded in the attack.

His killing was widely suspected by human rights groups to have been perpetrated in collusion with officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and, in 2003, the British Government Steven's Report stated that the killing was indeed carried out with the collusion of police in Northern Ireland.

The Ulster Defence Association/Ulster Freedom Fighters (UDA/UFF) claimed they killed the 39-year-old solicitor because he was a high-ranking officer in the IRA.

Police at his inquest said they had no evidence to support this claim. Finucane had represented republicans in many high profile cases, but he had also represented loyalists.

Several members of his family had republican links, but the family strongly denied Finucane was a member of the IRA

In September 2004 UDA member and security force informer, Ken Barrett, pleaded guilty to his murder. But he served only two years, released in May 2006, under the terms of The Good Friday Agreement.

Meanwhile a former judge was appointed to investigate the allegations of collusion surrounding Finucane's murder and other killings.

The retired Canadian Judge Peter Cory later suggested inquiries into Mr Finucane's death, as well as inquiries into the murders of Portadown Catholic Robert Hamill, solicitor Rosemary Nelson and Loyalist Volunteer Force leader Billy Wright.

The three other inquiries have already been held.

(LB/BMcC)