Finucane Widow Expresses Mounting Frustration Over Inquiry Delays
Geraldine Finucane, the widow of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane, has publicly voiced her profound frustration at what she describes as the "continuing delay" in establishing a long-awaited public inquiry into her husband's death. Her comments came on the solemn occasion of the 37th anniversary of Mr. Finucane's assassination by loyalist paramilitaries.
A Decades-Long Campaign for Truth
Pat Finucane, aged 39, was shot dead in front of his family at their north Belfast home in 1989. The attack was carried out by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), and subsequent investigations have consistently pointed to disturbing evidence of collusion between the killers and state security forces. For over three decades, Geraldine Finucane and her three children have campaigned tirelessly for a full public inquiry to uncover the precise extent of this alleged state involvement.
Government Announcements and Subsequent Stalling
In a significant development in September 2024, the then Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn, announced that the UK Government would finally establish an independent public inquiry. Momentum seemed to build in June 2025 when senior judge Sir Gary Hickinbottom was appointed as the inquiry's chairman. However, since then, progress has stalled markedly, leading to the family's current exasperation.
"As we mark the 37th anniversary of Pat Finucane's murder, our family does so with growing frustration at the continuing delay in allowing the long-promised public inquiry to begin its work," Mrs. Finucane stated. "The British Government announced the inquiry in September 2024 and appointed a chair in June 2025."The Crucial Hurdle of Unpublished Terms
The central point of contention remains the unpublished terms of reference for the inquiry. The Finucane family submitted their detailed observations on a draft version in good faith back in November 2025. Yet, three months later, the final terms have still not been made public.
"Until the terms of reference are set, the inquiry is not fully constituted and cannot begin its work fully or properly," Geraldine Finucane explained. "This delay is preventing progress and engagement in a case where delay has already caused profound harm over almost four decades."
She emphasized the family's constructive intent, stating, "We want to be clear: our family wants this inquiry to commence. We want to engage with it and work constructively with it." Her plea on this anniversary was simple: "On this anniversary, we are simply asking that the terms of reference be published so that this long-overdue inquiry can finally begin."
Government Response and Ongoing Process
In response to these criticisms, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Office reaffirmed the government's commitment. "The murder of Patrick Finucane was a barbarous crime and, given the exceptional circumstances of this case, a public inquiry is being established to provide answers long sought by his family," the spokesperson said.
The statement continued, "The Government is working expeditiously to finalise the terms of reference with the independent inquiry chair so the inquiry is able to begin its work without undue delay." This assurance, however, does little to alleviate the deep-seated concerns of a family that has waited 37 years for transparency and accountability regarding one of the most controversial killings of the Northern Ireland conflict.
