Patrick Finucane murder: Stevens and de Silva on collusion
Verified: Documented in primary records or confirmed by reputable inquiry/reporting.
Belfast solicitor Patrick Finucane was shot dead at his home on 12 February 1989; the UFF claimed responsibility. The third Stevens enquiry concluded: “I conclude there was collusion in both murders”, and said both killings could have been prevented. The 2012 de Silva review found “a series of positive actions” by state agents that “actively furthered and facilitated his murder”.
Documented
Both reports are public. De Silva left “in significant doubt” whether Finucane would have been murdered had it not been for the different strands of involvement by elements of the State. Stevens lists collusion forms from failure to keep records to “agents being involved in murder”.
Claimed, disputed or not established
The reports do not say senior ministers ordered the killing, and this page makes no such claim. Remaining disputes concern how far state involvement extended and who is accountable.
Sources (opened in a new tab)
- Stevens Enquiry 3: Overview and recommendations (PDF, via Pat Finucane Centre) ↗https://www.patfinucanecentre.org/sites/default/files/2017-02/stevensreport.pdf
- GOV.UK: The report of the Patrick Finucane Review (12 Dec 2012) ↗https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-report-of-the-patrick-finucane-review
Connected
- Section: United Kingdom
- Countries: United Kingdom
- Vault documents: Stevens Enquiry 3: Overview and Recommendations ↗; The Report of the Patrick Finucane Review (de Silva) ↗
- Case board · Timeline (2012) · Document vault