A long-awaited public inquiry into the murder of Belfast defence lawyer Pat Finucane has formally opened, marking a major milestone in the legendary campaign by his family to expose the full extent of British state involvement in his killing.

Mr Finucane, a prominent human rights lawyer, was shot dead in front of his wife and children at his north Belfast home in February 1989 by a loyalist death squad. Subsequent investigations uncovered extensive collusion between British state agencies and the UDA death squad who cooperated for the assassination.

The opening of the inquiry at Bradford Court in south Belfast follows more than three decades of campaigning by the Finucane family, who have consistently argued that previous investigations failed to establish the truth about the role of British military intelligence, the RUC and other British agencies in the murder.

The inquiry has the power to compel witnesses to attend and require the production of documents. It will examine not only the circumstances of the killing itself but also whether it could have been prevented and the extent of any state involvement.

Inquiry chair Gary Hickinbottom noted that previous investigations into the murder had failed to meet the requirements of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, a finding long central to the Finucane family’s case for a full public inquiry.

Representing the Finucane family, Danny Friedman said the questions surrounding the murder remain of profound importance, not only for the family but for wider society.

Outside the inquiry venue in south Belfast, Geraldine Finucane described the opening day as a “monumental” moment for her family.

Joined by her children, siblings and wider family circle, she said they had spent more than 37 years fighting to uncover the truth behind her husband’s murder.

“We fought long and hard to get to the truth, and to get to justice, and that’s what we’re hoping that this inquiry will provide us with,” she said.

Mrs Finucane said the family wanted answers not only about those who carried out the killing but also about those who directed and facilitated it.

“It’s more about who was pulling the strings, why was Pat targeted, why were we never warned that he was targeted on more than one occasion, who thought it up, why was this strategy put in place,” she said.

“These are questions that need to be fully answered, not glided over superficially anymore.”

The inquiry was established after decades of resistance by successive British governments to demands for a full public examination of the murder. Those demands intensified following a series of official investigations which gradually revealed evidence of extensive state collusion.

In 2012, then British Prime Minister David Cameron apologised to the Finucane family for what he described as “shocking levels of state collusion” in the killing. Seven years later, the British Supreme Court ruled that previous investigations had failed to satisfy human rights obligations.

Geraldine Finucane said her family had done “everything in our power” to reach this point and described the opening of the inquiry as the culmination of more than 13,000 days of campaigning.

“We have been saying for all that time that it was required because we believed that agencies within the British state colluded with the loyalist paramilitary organisation who carried out the killing to murder Pat,” she said.

Martin Finucane said the family’s focus remained firmly on establishing the full truth about his brother’s murder.

“I feel very proud that we have fulfilled our promise to Pat and never gave up,” he said.

The Pat Finucane Centre, a human rights organisation named in his honour, also welcomed the commencement of proceedings.

Director Paul O’Connor paid tribute to the determination of the Finucane family and expressed hope that the inquiry would expose not only the identities of those directly responsible but also those who devised and implemented the policies that led to the murder.

“We fervently hope that this inquiry will uncover the entire truth and reveal the identities of the killers and their handlers, as well as the decision makers and policy formulators who initiated the process which led to the silencing of a courageous human rights lawyer,” he said.

Commenting on the opening of the inquiry, Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the beginning of proceedings was a testament to the resilience and determination of the Finucane family.

She said the family had faced obstacle after obstacle over decades but had never abandoned their pursuit of truth and justice.

“I hope this inquiry finally uncovers the full truth behind the killing of Pat Finucane, a renowned human rights lawyer and, above all, a loving husband, father, brother and son,” she said.

“The Finucane family deserve nothing less.”

Timeline

1989: Murder of Pat Finucane

Pat Finucane was shot dead at his home in north Belfast on 12 February 1989 in front of his wife Geraldine and their children. Almost immediately, concerns were raised about collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and British state forces.

1989–1990: Stevens Investigation Begins

Following allegations of collusion, the first investigation led by senior English police officer John Stevens was launched. This became the first of three Stevens inquiries into collusion.

1999: Stevens III and International Pressure

The third Stevens investigation intensified scrutiny of British state involvement. Around the same period, the case became a major international human rights issue, with organisations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch calling for an independent inquiry.

2001: Weston Park Agreement

One of the most important breakthroughs came during the Weston Park Talks. The British and Irish governments agreed that a judge would review a number of controversial killings, including Finucane’s, to determine whether public inquiries were required.

2003: Cory Report

Retired Canadian judge Peter Cory concluded there was sufficient evidence of collusion to warrant a public inquiry into Pat Finucane’s murder. This became a central foundation of the family’s campaign.

2004–2005: British Government Refuses Inquiry on Agreed Terms

Although the British government accepted Cory’s recommendation in principle, it introduced the Inquiries Act 2005. The Finucane family, human rights groups and the Irish government argued that the legislation would allow excessive government control over evidence and proceedings. The family refused to participate under those terms.

2011: De Silva Review

Instead of a public inquiry, British Prime Minister David Cameron commissioned a review by Desmond de Silva. The De Silva report found extensive collusion involving army agents, police officers and intelligence personnel. In the House of Commons, Cameron acknowledged “shocking levels of state collusion” and apologised to the Finucane family. Many campaigners viewed the report as vindication of the family’s allegations, but criticised it because witnesses could not be cross-examined and evidence was not tested in public.

2013–2018: Legal Challenges Continue

The family continued pursuing legal action, arguing that Britain remained in breach of its obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights because no effective public inquiry had been held.

2019: Supreme Court Ruling

A major victory came when the Supreme Court in London unanimously found that previous investigations into the murder had not satisfied Article 2 requirements. Although the court did not order an inquiry directly, it concluded that there had never been a sufficiently independent and effective investigation into the killing. This ruling is often regarded as one of the most significant milestones in the campaign.

2020–2023: Continued Pressure

The family continued lobbying the British and Irish governments, international human rights bodies and political parties. The case remained a prominent issue in discussions about legacy and unresolved killings from the conflict.

2024: Public Inquiry Announced

British Direct Ruler Hilary Benn announced that a full statutory public inquiry would be established. For the family, this represented the achievement of the central objective they had pursued since 1989.

2025: Inquiry Chair Appointed

Retired Court of Appeal judge Gary Hickinbottom was appointed chair of the inquiry.

2026: Inquiry Opens

The inquiry formally began hearing evidence, with Geraldine Finucane describing the occasion as a “monumental” day after more than 37 years of campaigning.