Conviction quashed after 25 years

The conviction was quashed at the Court of Appeal

A man found guilty of terrorist crimes 25 years ago has had his conviction quashed in the Court of Appeal.

John Boyle, 45, was jailed for 12 years in 1977 after being convicted of possessing a gun with intent and membership of the IRA.

The father of five, from the Markets area of Belfast, served seven years but had always denied the charges.

In 1999, his case was taken up by the Criminal Cases Review Commission - the body set up to investigate possible miscarriages of justice.

An independent expert engaged by the commission said scientific tests on police interview notes revealed the notes of one interview had been re-written.

At Tuesday's hearing, Lord Chief Justice Sir Robert Carswell said there was no question of police having written in anything which damned Mr Boyle but the fact that there was re-writing meant his conviction was unsafe.

Therefore, he said, his appeal would be allowed and his conviction quashed.

Outside the court, Mr Boyle said he was delighted with the ruling after such a long time and that a miscarriage of justice had been recognised.