Peter Cory
Credit: Larry Munn

Justice Cory, who served on the Supreme Court of Canada from 1989 to 1999, was appointed in 2001 under an agreement between the Irish and British governments to investigate six cases in which there was suspected collusion between security forces and paramilitaries.

Four of the cases, including the 1989 killing of solicitor Pat Finucane, involved suspected collusion between British security forces and loyalist paramilitaries, while two of the cases involved suspected collusion between gardaí and republican paramilitaries.

In his final reports, Justice Cory recommended public inquiries into five of the six cases. The UK government subsequently held inquiries into four of those cases, but has not yet held an inquiry into the Finucane killing.

Sinn Féin MP John Finucane, Pat’s son, said he was “deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Cory”.

Mr Finucane said Justice Cory’s 2004 report on his father’s death “confirmed the allegations of collusion”.

He added: “Unfortunately, his recommendation for a public inquiry continues to be ignored by the British government, a position he was most critical of.

“I want to pay tribute to Peter Cory for the work that he has done.

“My thoughts are with his friends, family and colleagues at this sad and difficult time.”