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IHREC to back Finucane probe efforts

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has written to Taoiseach Michéal Martin (pictured) to back continued efforts to secure a public inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989.

The commission, which has a formal role under the Good Friday Agreement as part of the Joint Committee, welcomed the Irish Government’s commitment to the Finucane family that work would continue to ensure that a public inquiry is held.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said last month that the UK government had decided not to hold a public inquiry at this time.

'Deeply disappointed'

IHREC said it was “deeply disappointed” with the decision of the UK Government, which it said “flies in the face of the UK’s European Convention on Human Rights obligations”.

Last year, the UK’s Supreme Court ruled that the UK had failed to hold an "effective investigation" into the Belfast lawyer's death.

IHREC said that judgment was clear that the UK Government had fallen short of its Article 2 obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

“There has not been a human rights-compliant inquiry, which is independent, can identify those responsible, be prompt, open to scrutiny and which includes the participation of the Finucane family,” it said.