West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Pat Finucane 20th anniversary events to take place

Published: 8 February, 2009

A series of events are to take place throughout Belfast this week to mark the 20th anniversary of the murder of leading human rights lawyer Pat Finucane.

Sinn Fein has organised a mural launch at the former Andersonstown barracks site and a candlelight vigil on the Antrim Road while the victims group, Relatives for Justice, has organised an anniversary gathering outside the High Court and a panel discussion in Saint Marys College.

Pat Finucane was murdered on 12 February 1989 by UDA gunmen acting in collusion with the British military and the RUC.

His murder came just weeks after British Home Office minister Douglas Hogg stood up in the British Parliament and claimed that some solicitors in the North of Ireland were 'unduly sympathetic to the IRA'.

Since 1989, the Finucane family has battled for an independent, international public inquiry into Pat's murder and this demand has been supported by President Barack Obama, Sinn Fein, the Irish government, the EU and human rights organisations and leading legal figures across the world.

The full details of the events that will take place are as follows:

Tuesday 10th February 3pm - Former Andersonstown barracks site - Launch of events and mural unveiling

A public launch of the series of events to mark the 20th anniversary of Pat Finucane's murder. A mural supporting the Finucane family's campaign for truth will be unveiled at this event. The main speaker will be Sinn Fein President and West Belfast MP Gerry Adams. A member of the Finucane family and Mark Thompson from Relatives for Justice will also speak.

Wednesday 11th February 6.30pm - Front of Antrim Road (Just above the Landsdowne Hotel) - Candlelight vigil

A candlelight vigil in memory of Pat Finucane. John Finucane, Pat's son, will speak.

Thursday 12th February 12.30pm - Front of Belfast High Court building - Anniversary gathering

Organised by Relatives for Justice, the anniversary gathering will highlight the Finucane family's demand for an independent, international public inquiry. The speakers are Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey; Mike Ritchie, director of the Committee for Administration and Justice (CAJ); and Monsignor Raymond Murray.

Thursday 12th February 7pm - Saint Marys College, Falls Road -

Panel discussion - Pat Finucane: The Time for Truth

Organised by Relatives for Justice, the panelists are;

  • Peter Madden, a friend and legal partner of Pat in the Madden and Finucane legal practice

  • Seamus Finucane, brother of Pat Finucane

  • Alex Maskey, Sinn Fein MLA, who was shot by loyalists directed by British agent Brian Nelson who was also involved in Pat's murder

  • Jim McCabe, husband of West Belfast woman Nora McCabe who was murdered by the RUC in July 1981. Pat Finucane represented the McCabe family in their campaign for truth and justice.

This event will be chaired by Relatives for Justice Spokesperson Clara Reilly.

Sinn Fein Minister Gerry Kelly is encouraging people to take part in the anniversary events.

Mr Kelly said:

''Pat Finucane was a loving husband, a father, a brother, a son.

''He was murdered because of his success in defending members of our community who were victims of British oppression, collusion and state murder.

''Pat's case is the most prominent case involving the British government's state murder policy and the decision to murder Pat was taken at the highest levels of the British government.

''Today, 20 years on, the British government continues to cover up Pat's murder, in the same way as they continue to cover up hundreds of other cases of collusion and state murder.

''The Finucane family have campaigned relentlessly for many years for the truth about Pat's death. The dignity they have shown is in stark contrast to the behaviour of the British state.

''The events organised this week are to remember Pat and to highlight the continuing campaign for an independent, international public inquiry into Pat's murder.

''I would encourage people to attend the events and show their support for the campaign for truth about British state murder in Ireland.''