Judge Peter Cory – the former Justice of the Canadian Supreme Court charged with reviewing several high-profile murders in Northern Ireland and Ireland, detailed evidence of collusion in the killings before a hearing of the U.S. Helsinki Commission today. 

    “The documents I reviewed indicated there is evidence to warrant the holding of public inquiries,” Cory testified, adding that “there is evidence in five of the six cases that meet with this definition (of collusion).” 

    To date, Ireland has agreed to conduct public inquiries into the murder case of two Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Officers. Great Britain – after much delay – has agreed to establish public inquiries in three of the four murders in Northern Ireland, but has thus far refused to hold an inquiry into the violent death of attorney Patrick Finucane, who was shot more than a dozen times while eating dinner with his family in his home more than 15 years ago. 

    “For the process of peace and reconciliation to flourish in Northern Ireland, the festering sores – ‘the grave public concerns’ about collusion – need the healing balm that only a public inquiry can provide,” said Rep. Chris Smith as he opened the proceedings in Washington. “We owe it to the memory of those slain, to their families, and to every person in Ireland who cherishes justice to see to it that the British government immediately commences the public inquiry into the Finucane murder as recommended by Judge Cory and as promised in the Weston Park Agreement. 

    “No exceptions. No excuses,” said Smith, who noted that today’s hearing is the ninth hearing he has held regarding human rights in Northern Ireland.

    Elisa Massimino, the Washington Director for Human Rights First who also testified, agreed, saying, “A public inquiry would help ensure that current policies, procedures, and structures are likely to withstand future prospects of institutional conflict and corruption of the kind Northern Ireland experienced in the past. And it would go a long way toward instilling long-needed trust in the rule of law.” 

    Smith said Judge Cory’s report in the Finucane case is replete with evidence of possible collusion relating to activities of the army intelligence unit and the RUC. He called the need for a public inquiry a no-brainer and refuted the British government’s new reasons for delay. 

    “Now, inexplicably, the British government says that no movement can be made on a Finucane inquiry until the completion of a case against Ken Barrett an accused triggerman in the case.” Smith said.

    “Unfortunately, this prosecution, if ever completed, will not get to the larger compelling issue of state collusion and complicity. It begs the question of cover-up to suggest that the two investigations cannot coexist,” Smith added.

    Cory agreed saying, “This is one of the rare instances where a public inquiry should take precedent over a prosecution.” He compared the growing suspicion among both sides to a “cancer that will grow greater and greater until exploration is made and people can get on with living and living together as a country.” 

    Added Massimino, “Certainly it is an exceptional case where a public inquiry is preferable to prosecutions. Yet the Finucane case is just such as case for a number of reasons.” 

    In the Finucane murder, Cory stated that documentation showed the attorney to be a prime target of paramilitary forces for nearly a decade before his killing, but no steps were taken to warn him of the dangers he faced.

    “In 1981, no action had been taken in connection with a known direct and imminent threat against Patrick Finucane. Rather, the protection of the agent’s security was seen as more important than saving the life of a person who faced a serious and imminent threat.” 

    Geraldine Finucane, the surviving spouse of Patrick Finucane also testified at the hearing. Mrs. Finucane said “I will not stop until I achieve my goal of a public inquiry that will fully examine all the evidence surrounding the murder of my husband. The common good is better served through truth and accountability.” 

    Smith called Mrs. Finucane a “remarkable woman” and “an inspiration for justice, reconciliation and truth.” He said he and other Members of Congress committed to human rights will work along side her, as long as it takes, until justice is done in this case and a public inquiry implemented.