20/01/2006

Murder cases referred to Court of Appeal

The case of Sinn Fein assembly member, Raymond McCartney, and a Londonderry journalist, Eamonn Mac Dermott, who were convicted in 1979 for murder have been referred to the Court of Appeal.

The two Londonderry men were convicted of the murder of RUC Detective Constable Patrick McNulty. Mr McCartney was also convicted of murdering DuPont Managing Director Jeffrey Agate in the same year.

The move comes after the cases of both men were considered by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which announced their decision on Thursday 19th January.

In a statement the CCRC said: "The prosecution contended that both men were members of the IRA, the men denied the charges, but were convicted on the basis of confessions."

The appeal is based on the premise that the confessions were made under duress. Both men deny any involvment in the murders.

Mr McCartney spent 17 years in prison and Mr MacDermott spent 15 years in prison.

The appeals are not expected to take place until next year.

(CD/SP)

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