Gunman gets life for Catholic lawyer death, but could be free by May

Published: 2004-09-16

DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) -- A former loyalist gunman who pleaded guilty to the murder of a prominent Catholic lawyer was sentenced to life in prison but could be released within a year. A judge in Belfast, Northern Ireland, sentenced police informer Ken Barrett Sept. 16 for the 1989 murder of Pat Finucane and recommended that he serve at least 22 years of his life term. Because the Finucane murder and Barrett's other crimes took place before April 1998, under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, if he renounces all involvement in paramilitary activities, Barrett may be eligible for release from prison in May. On Sept. 13 in Belfast Crown Court, Barrett pleaded guilty to helping to shoot Finucane 14 times in front of his wife and children as they ate lunch at their home in February 1989. Court officials heard details of collusion by police and army members, and international human rights groups renewed calls for the British government to conduct a formal inquiry into the murder.

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