Investigation on Brexit, Covid-19 and Pat Finucane Raised in Call Between Taoiseach and Boris Johnson Last Night

TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson have reaffirmed the need to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland after Brexit.

The couple had a phone call last night, when they discussed the Brexit negotiations, climate change and their respective efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.

“The leaders updated each other on their respective efforts to combat coronavirus and the steps they have taken to ensure that people in the UK and Ireland can enjoy Christmas as safely as possible,” said a Downing Street spokesman it’s a statement.

“They talked about shared challenges, including the environment, and pledged to work together ahead of the UK-hosted COP26 summit next year.

RTÉ also reports that Martin asked the British government to conduct a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane in 1989.

The Belfast lawyer was shot by loyal paramilitaries, amid allegations of collusion with state security forces.

His widow Geraldine and son John met Martin at Dublin government buildings this week, and the Taoiseach later told the Dáil that the need for a public inquiry was agreed as early as 2001 and that the UK should respect that agreement. .

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis is expected to indicate how the UK government will proceed with the matter on Monday.

In February last year, the UK Supreme Court ruled that investigations into the lawyer’s fatal shooting had not been effective and did not comply with international human rights standards.

Last week, it also emerged that four of Northern Ireland’s political parties came together to call for a public inquiry into Finucane’s murder.