Workers Revolutionary Party - ‘We have won!’ says Pat Finucane’s widow

The News Line: News Thursday, 28 February 2019 ‘We have won!’ says Pat Finucane’s widow

GERALDINE FINUCANE with family members and legal team during a visit to Downing Street in September 2000

‘WE HAVE had to overcome obstacles the likes of which no other family has faced and today we face the world with one simple message: “We have won”,’ Pat Finucane’s widow Geraldine said yesterday.

Pat Finucane was an Irish human rights lawyer killed by loyalist paramilitaries in 1989, who, it has been alleged, acted ‘in collusion with the British government intelligence service MI5’. A review into the Finucane murder, the ‘Desmond de Silva Inquiry’, concluded that ‘actions by employees of the British state actively facilitated the killing’.

Geraldine Finucane challenged ex-prime minister David Cameron over his refusal to hold a public inquiry. Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled that an inquiry compliant with human rights law has not yet taken place. However, it said she had not shown that Cameron’s decision ‘was made in bad faith’.

Geraldine Finucane said outside the court: ‘We have campaigned for thirty years, travelled the globe and argued our case all over the world. With all of our help, support and faith and good will we can finally stand before all of our friends and deliver the simple message: “We have won.”

‘The Supreme Court has given its judgement on the actions of the British government. They have been found wanting. They have been found in breach of the most fundamental obligation of all to protect and vindicate the right to life. The courts have said that they cannot ignore a violation of the convention of rights that have taken place.

‘The public inquiry that my family and I have fought for for over three decades has culminated in this great victory today. I would like to thank my legal team Barry MacDonald, Neil O’Dougherty and my great friend Peter Madden, for their Herculean efforts on our behalf. We would not have succeeded without them.

‘I would also like to pay tribute to all the individuals and organisations worldwide who have supported us in all of our efforts over the years. Our many friends in Ireland, Britain, Europe, America and beyond have sustained us through many a dark hour. There are too many to thank individually so I thank them all today.

‘Our friends and supporters know as we know that this is a step on the way to our goal, the full truth behind the murder of my husband Pat Finucane. The judgement of this court is not the end of that journey, but it represents great progress towards the goal.

‘The British government now knows that it cannot conceal the truth any longer. They have now been told by the highest court in their land, it is time for the murder of Pat Finucane to be properly and publicly investigated in a public inquiry. Nothing else will suffice.

‘The Supreme Court has said that all the investigation to date has been inadequate and where else is there to go? They must call for a public inquiry. I don’t go anywhere. I have got my judgement. I have won what is necessary. The next step needs to be taken by the British government and the ball is firmly in their court. They have made mistakes all over the last thirty years. Every single review and investigation has been found inadequate.’