News

Widow to speak at Pat Finucane annual lecture in Belfast

Geraldine Finucane will speak at an event to mark the anniversary of her husband's murder in Belfast tomorrow
Geraldine Finucane will speak at an event to mark the anniversary of her husband's murder in Belfast tomorrow Geraldine Finucane will speak at an event to mark the anniversary of her husband's murder in Belfast tomorrow

THE widow of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane will take part in a lecture to mark the 27th anniversary of his death.

The 39-year-old was shot dead in front of his wife and children at his north Belfast home by a UDA hit squad, including British state agents, on February 12, 1989.

Since then his family, led by his widow Geraldine, has campaigned for a public inquiry into his death.

Mrs Finucane will be joined by Paul Seils, vice president of the International Centre for Transitional Justice in New York and Frank La Rue, a human rights lawyer form Guatemala and former UN Special Rapporteur on the freedom of expression in Belfast's Europa Hotel on Wednesday.

The theme of the lecture is ‘Victims’ rights to truth, national security and dealing with the past – when does legitimate state secrecy become a cover up?’

The event is being hosted by campaign group Relatives for Justice.

RFJ director Mark Thompson said it is “fitting that this event takes place on the anniversary of Pat’s killing and that Geraldine Finucane also delivers a keynote address concerning disclosure, the current status of the campaign and legal action for an inquiry”.