Paving Path to Peace: Civil Society and Northern Ireland Peace Process

Book Launch: Paving the Path to Peace, Civil Society and the Northern Ireland Peace Process

Authors: Connal Parr and Stephen Hopkins

Location: No Alibis Bookstore, Belfast, BT7 1JL

Day and Time: Friday 21st March 2025 6:00PM

About Paving the Path to Peace:

In the context of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in April 2023, elite politicians and paramilitary groups were presented as the drivers for conflict and peace in Northern Ireland. This book shifts the focus to the role played by civil society groups which sought to mobilise for peace and reconciliation in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It begins with an analysis of peace activism in Northern Ireland during the earlier decades of violence and is followed by an in-depth case study of the Peace Train Organisation, which was set up to counter paramilitary attacks on the trainline between Dublin and Belfast. The final part assembles contributions from fifteen key protagonists in civil society organisations, reflecting upon their work and lives.　

The authors seek to redress the balance in the historiography and popular perception of this critical period, arguing that civil society groups helped shift the social and political climate surrounding the conflict. The book breaks new ground in the memorialisation of the peace process, highlighting the neglected role of transnational civil society peace activism.

Price: The book is being sold at a 10% discount, meaning it will cost £36 on the night.

Finucane evidence restriction on security grounds should be narrow say US lawyers

John Breslin, Irish News, March 18th, 2025

BRITISH authorities should ensure any restriction of evidence on national security grounds be as narrow as possible when dealing with the public inquiry into the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane, lawyers in the US have said.

The New York City Bar, which represents lawyers in the city, is calling on US elected representatives, including members of Congress and the State Department, to use “all available channels to insist that the UK conduct a full and transparent inquiry”.

Secretary of State Hilary Been announced last September a public inquiry will be held into the February 1989 murder of Mr Finucane.

Family and others have argued state forces colluded in his killing.

Following a review, Sir Desmond de Silva QC concluded he was left “in no doubt that agents of the state were involved in carrying out serious violations of human rights up to and including murder”.

The statement from the NY bar follows a visit to the city by the late Mr Finucane’s son John, the Sinn Féin MP for North Belfast.

“The state must also refrain from unduly utilizing restriction notices or other mechanisms as to ensure that any restriction of evidence on national security grounds is as narrowly tailored as possible and correctly balances the public interest in determining the full facts and circumstances as well as the full responsibility of all actors, including agents of the state,” the NY bar said.

“A transparent and fair investigation by an independent panel will serve as a due process road map for other difficult post-conflict situations both in Northern Ireland and throughout the world and bring long-awaited justice to the Finucane family.”

Geraldine Finucane argues state forces colluded in the killing of her husband Pat Finucane in February 1989. The New York City Bar is now asking “all available channels to insist that the UK conduct a full and transparent inquiry”