Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FURY AT BOMB ATTACK ON FINUCANE HOME
Finucane condemns attack on uncle
DEFIANT MP John Finucane said those trying to intimidate his family will not succeed after a “reckless attack” on his uncle’s home.
What was described as a “crude explosive device” was found in the front garden of Martin Finucane’s bungalow in West Belfast after the front window was broken in two places early yesterday.
Police said they were working to establish a motive for the Glenties Drive attack on the brother of murdered solicitor Pat.
John Finucane, Sinn Fein MP for North Belfast, took to social media to condemn the incident.
He said: “At 6.30am the home of my uncle Martin was attacked. The front windows were broken and an explosive device was thrown at Martin’s home while he was inside.
“Those who carried out this attack are trying to intimidate my family and this community. They will not succeed.”
Det Sgt Keith Wilson added: “Shortly after 6.30am it was reported an object was thrown at the front window of a house in the area causing the outer pane of glass to smash.
“A vehicle was heard making off from the scene. On further examination a suspicious object was discovered in the front garden.
“ATO were tasked and declared the object to be the remnants of a crude explosive device that did not ignite.
“Two adults who were in the house at the time were not injured as a result of the incident.
“A motive for this attack has not yet been established. We are extremely fortunate no one was injured in what was a reckless act in a built-up area”
Pictures from the scene showed two panes of broken glass in the kitchen window of the red brick home.
West Belfast Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey said the incident “shows a callous disregard for the Finucane family and the local community”.
He added: “This is an attack on a justice and human rights campaigner and as such is an attack on the whole community.
“Those behind this device have nothing to offer society. I would call on anyone with any information on those responsible for this attack on a home to bring it forward to the police.”
The SDLP also hit out at the incident.
The party’s West Belfast representative Paul Doherty said: “I unreservedly condemn this action.
“It is wrong and shows a reckless disregard for both the Finucane family and the wider community. Those responsible have nothing to offer this community.
“We are trying to build a better West Belfast and acts like this only make that harder. They have to be faced down. “I would appeal to anyone with information to bring it forward and offer my thoughts to Martin and the wider Finucane family.” The Finucanes are continuing their fight for a public inquiry into the assassination of Pat in North Belfast on February 12, 1989.
The 39-year-old was having dinner with his wife Geraldine and three children when two UDA gunmen burst into their Fortwilliam Drive home and shot him 14 times.
The 31st anniversary of his death was marked by a candlelit vigil nearby last Wednesday.
The PSNI have appealed for anyone who was in the Glenties Drive area around the time of yesterday’s attack and who witnessed any unusual activity or vehicles to get in touch.
Detectives can be contacted at Musgrave station on 101, quoting reference 212 20/02/20.
We are extremely fortunate no one was injured in a reckless act DET SGT KEITH WILSON WEST BELFAST YESTERDAY