Patrick Finucane Inquiry to resume in Belfast today
The public inquiry examining the murder of Belfast solicitor Patrick Finucane is set to resume in the city today, with the second day of its opening hearing taking place at Bradford Court.
Proceedings are due to get underway at 10.30am on Wednesday, with Counsel to the Inquiry Matthew Hill continuing his opening statement.
Murder of Belfast solicitor
Mr Finucane was 39 when he was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries at his family home in north Belfast on 12 February 1989.
The inquiry has been established to examine the circumstances surrounding his murder, including the role of the State.
The current two-day hearing began on Tuesday and is intended to establish a baseline of what is already known about the murder before the inquiry moves forward with its investigation.
In preparing the opening statement, the inquiry has drawn on publicly available information, including material from previous investigations and reviews.
Decades of campaigning
Mr Finucane’s family campaigned for decades for a public inquiry into his murder amid allegations of collusion between members of the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries.
In 2019, the UK Supreme Court ruled that previous investigations into the killing had failed to meet the procedural requirements of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The UK Government announced in September 2024 that a statutory public inquiry would be established.
Inquiry examining role of the State
The inquiry is being chaired by former Court of Appeal judge Sir Gary Hickinbottom, who is supported by assessors Francesca Del Mese and former Police Ombudsman Baroness Nuala O’Loan.
Established under the Inquiries Act 2005, it has powers to compel witnesses to attend and give evidence.
The inquiry is a fact-finding process and does not have the power to determine criminal or civil liability.
Proceedings resume today
Today’s hearing is expected to continue until around 5pm.
Proceedings are being livestreamed by the inquiry, with transcripts also being published following the hearings.
The Belfast Desk will continue to follow the inquiry and report on developments as they emerge.
Source: Patrick Finucane Inquiry