12th December 2002

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Sinn Fein Endorse Inquiry Call

Sinn Fein Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness MP and the party's Upper Bann Assembly member Dr. Dara O'Hagan have endorsed the call from the family of Rosemary Nelson for a full Independent International Judicial Inquiry into her murder.

Mr McGuinness said:

`` Last week Dara O'Hagan and myself met with Rosemary Nelson's family. We discussed the current investigation in detail, the family's concerns around the lack of progress in the investigation, and the departure of Colin Port. I share the concerns of the family about the manner in which this investigation has proceeded.

`` I find it incredible, for example, that the Port investigation team has never questioned those members of the RUC who issued death threats against Rosemary Nelson. Nor has an explanation been obtained for the unusually high RUC and British army activity in the vicinity of Rosemary's home in the days and hours prior to her murder.

`` The current investigation has proven that it is incapable of finding the truth behind the killing of Rosemary Nelson. The family's demand for a full Independent International Judicial Inquiry has gathered even more momentum with the resignation of Colin Port.

`` Sinn Fein endorse the position of the family. We support their call for an Independent Judicial Inquiry. The family's right to the truth cannot be allowed to become a matter of political barter or negotiation. This is a question of basic rights and a question of truth and justice.''

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