The North’s First Minister has written to the Taoiseach requesting a “fresh examination” into allegations of collusion between the Irish state and the IRA. The Smithwich Inquiry found gardaí leaked information to the IRA about two RUC officers. Last week both the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs spoke of their disappointment at the British government’s decision not to immediately order a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane. It had also followed through on its commitments and established the Smithwick Tribunal irrespective of where it would lead, he said. Among those who attended were representatives from the Irish and British governments, the Sinn Féin official and senior republican Sean Murray and the loyalist Winston Irvine.

Source: The Irish Times December 06, 2020 13:41 UTC