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Patrick Finucane Inquiry to hold hearing in September 2026   

Published:

The Patrick Finucane Inquiry has today confirmed that it will hold a hearing at Bradford Court, Belfast on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 September 2026.  

The purpose of this hearing is for the presentation of an opening statement by the Inquiry’s Counsel team, led by Matthew Hill.  

Drawing upon openly available material, including from those previous reviews and investigations identified in the Terms of Reference that have been published, the statement will set out what is currently understood about the murder of Mr Finucane and related issues. This will establish a baseline position from which the Inquiry can take forward its work.

The hearing will be chaired by the Patrick Finucane Inquiry Chair, Sir Gary Hickinbottom.

The hearing will be streamed for those who wish to watch the proceedings online.

Notes to editors:

The hearing will be livestreamed (subject to a short delay) on the Inquiry’s YouTube channel. 

Media are asked to arrive at the hearing centre between 9.00am and 10.00am. The hearing will commence at 10.30am and is expected to conclude around 5pm on each day. 

More details on Bradford Court can be found in the Hearings Attendance Guide on the Inquiry website.  Public registration for spaces in the hearing centre will open on 1 September 2026.