On September 11, 2024, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, announced in Parliament the decision to establish an independent inquiry into the 1989 murder of Belfast human rights lawyer Patrick Finucane. This move fulfils a long-standing commitment made by the UK government under the Inquiries Act 2005.

Patrick Finucane was shot and killed by members of the loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Defence Association, on February 12, 1989, at his home in North Belfast. The killing, which took place in front of Finucane’s family, has been the subject of numerous investigations over the past three decades, with mounting evidence suggesting state collusion.

In his address to the House of Commons, Benn outlined the historical importance of the case and referred to the 2019 Supreme Court ruling, which found that prior investigations had not fulfilled the state’s obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Benn emphasized the exceptional nature of the case and the need for this inquiry to provide answers that have long been sought by the Finucane family and human rights organizations.

While Benn acknowledged the potential costs of the inquiry, he stated that it would be built on existing investigative foundations to avoid unnecessary expenditure. A chair will be appointed to lead the inquiry, with clear terms of reference.

The announcement marks a significant moment in Northern Irish history, as the inquiry is expected to address the ongoing allegations of state involvement in Finucane’s murder. It is hoped that this long-awaited public investigation will contribute to the process of reconciliation in Northern Ireland and deliver answers to the Finucane family after years of campaigning.

This decision has been met with cautious optimism from human rights organizations, who have consistently called for a public inquiry into the circumstances of the murder and the alleged state collusion involved.