Ahern Told 'Hain Halted Finucane Inquiry'

A possible inquiry into collusion by the NI security forces in the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane were again highlighted this week.

Outgoing Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, was meeting with the solicitor's widow, Geraldine Finucane this week, and in one of his very last engagements in his current job, it was revealed that a decision was taken by former NI Secretary of State Peter Hain to stop preparations for the inquiry.

Mrs Finucane yesterday told Mr Ahern in Government Buildings in Dublin: "On April 7, 2008, my solicitor received a letter from the Northern Ireland Office, which stated that, 18 months ago in autumn 2006, a decision was taken by Peter Hain, to cease all preparations for an inquiry.

"We were not informed of this decision at the time.

"The letter stated that the decision was taken because my family refused to accept ministerial control of an inquiry under the notorious Inquiries Act 2005.

"They appear to be saying that unless we agree that British Government Ministers should be allowed to control what information the inquiry is permitted to examine in public, there will be no inquiry at all."

Five years having now passed since former Metropolitan Police Chief Sir John Stevens reported that his investigative team had uncovered evidence that rogue elements in British Army intelligence and the Royal Ulster Constabulary colluded with the Ulster Freedom Fighters in the murder of both Mr Finucane and a student, Adam Lambert two years earlier.

(BMcC)