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

Pat Finucane 20th Anniversary Events Take place

Published: 15 February, 2009

A series of events, organised by Relatives for Justice and Sinn Fein, were held last week to mark the 20th anniversary of the murder of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane by a British government death squad.

On Tuesday 10 February, a mural supporting an independent, international public inquiry into Pat's murder was unveiled by Sinn Fein president and West Belfast MP Gerry Adams at the site of the former Andersonstown barracks site.

On the evening of Wednesday 11 February, a candlelight vigil was held at the top of Fortwilliam Drive, on the Antrim Road, where Pat and his family lived. Around 200 people, including Pat's wife Geraldine and many members of his family, gathered to remember Pat on the eve of the 20th anniversary of his death.

Sinn Fein deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and John Finucane, son of the murdered solicitor, spoke to those gathered to thank them for their support and ask them to continue to battle for truth and justice for all families who have been victims of collusion and British state murder.

The following day, Thursday 12 February, the anniversary of Pat's murder, supporters of the Finucane family campaign, including many members of the legal profession, lined the front of the Belfast High Court building where Monsignor Raymond Murray; Mike Ritchie, Director of the Committee for the Administration of Justice; and Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey spoke.

The same evening, in Saint Mary's University College on the Falls Road, a panel discussion - Pat Finucane; The Time for Truth - was held.

Seamus Finucane, the brother of the murdered solicitor; Peter Madden, Pat's legal partner; Jim McCabe, whose wife was murdered by the RUC; and Alex Maskey, who was the victim of an attempted British state murder organised by Brian Nelson, the same agent involved in Pat Finucane's murder, all gave very emotional accounts of their relationship with Pat Finucane and of their suffering at the hands of the British state.

Speaking at the event in Saint Mary's College, Alex Maskey said:

"I want to commend Pat's family who along with hundreds of other families, have campaigned relentlessly for many years for the truth into the deaths of their loved ones.

''The dignity and courage they have shown is in stark contrast to the behaviour of the British state.

''Since his death Pat's family has battled for an independent, international public inquiry into his murder.

''They have campaigned tirelessly and have won significant international support, including from the new US President Barack Obama.

''The British system resists this demand.

''Why? Because Pat Finucane's murder and those involved with it highlights the depth and extent of collusion between British forces, unionist death squads and the British political establishment.''