Two held over killing of Belfast solicitor

TWO MEN were being questioned last night in connection with the murder of the Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane, shot in Northern Ireland 10 years ago.

The suspects, aged 36 and 30, and arrested in the Belfast area, were being held at a secret location under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Police sources said they were not in the Royal Ulster Constabulary, military, nor security services.

The move is the latest development in an inquiry headed by the Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner, John Stevens. Last month, it was claimed in a Belfast court that a man charged with murdering Finucane was an RUC Special Branch informer. Allegations that security forces were involved in the killing have persisted.

Finucane, who defended IRA suspects, was shot 14 times in front of his family. His wife was wounded. The killing was claimed by the loyalist Ulster Freedom Fighters.

The 30-year-old suspect was arrested yesterday; the 36-year-old was held on Tuesday.

At the request of the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, Mr Stevens was called to Northern Ireland in April to head an inquiry into the murder and allegations of RUC collusion. Although the RUC made more than a dozen arrests during its investigation, no one was charged. As a result of Mr Stevens's fresh inquiry, William Stobie, 48, was charged with murder in June.

At Belfast magistrates' court he said he twice told police that a murder was to take place on the night of Finucane's killing but did not know the target. Mr Stobie was said to have served in the Ulster Defence Regiment, later to become the Royal Irish Regiment. He was remanded in custody.

After his court appearance, the Finucane family made fresh demands for an independent judicial inquiry.