Accused acquitted of 1975 murder

A man who confessed to the sectarian 1975 killing of a Catholic shopkeeper has been acquitted of the murder.

Belfast Crown Court heard that Peter McAuley, of no fixed address, made the admission of killing Brendan Doran to escape burglary charges in England.

He believed he would be sent back to NI where he would be freed under the Good Friday Agreement and the other charges would "disappear", the court heard.

The judge said the evidence had not satisfied him McAuley was the murderer.

At the end of the no-jury Diplock trial, Mr Justice Morgan said he was "manipulative and ... likely to lie in order to serve his own ends".

On any view, he is a truly despicable human being Mr Justice Morgan

The judge said he had "played the Troubles card in order to avoid a custodial sentence".

He said it was "probable that he made his admissions because he believed he could achieve some advantage from being dealt with in respect of older terrorist offences, rather than having to face up to the English offences".

He said the "kindest" thing that could be said about him is "that if he has falsely suggested that he committed this murder, then he has put Mr Doran's grieving relatives through yet further suffering and distress".

"On any view, he is a truly despicable human being."