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Further convictions in soldier murder case to be reviewed

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Four further convictions in Mr McDevitt's case have been referred to Northern Ireland's Court of Appeal

A man whose conviction for the murder of a British soldier was referred to the Court of Appeal last year is to have a number of other convictions re-examined.

John McDevitt was convicted of the murder of Pte Neil Clark on Easter Monday 1984 in Londonderry.

In October 2024 the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) referred Mr McDevitt's murder conviction to Northern Ireland's Court of Appeal following concerns about the credibility of police witnesses.

On Friday his solicitor said the CCRC has now referred four further convictions to the Court of Appeal.

"These four convictions emanate from the same contested statement of admission which grounds the murder conviction," solicitor Patricia Coyle said.

"My client looks forward to the opportunity to present his case to the Court of Appeal after maintaining his innocence for almost 40 years."

Last year the CCRC, an independent body set up under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995, said after "extensive analysis" there was "a real possibility the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal will conclude Mr McDevitt's conviction is unsafe".

Pte Clark was in one of two Army Land Rovers that crashed after they were attacked with petrol bombs.

He and two other soldiers were fired on as they tried to escape their vehicle.

Mr McDevitt's four further convictions now referred to the Court of Appeal include two counts of wounding with intent, attempting to cause GBH with intent and possession of firearms with intent.

Mr McDevitt was arrested along with seven others and charged with a total of 11 offences.

They included murder, conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm and offences relating to the creation and use of petrol bombs.

He was interviewed 23 times over the course of five days, with no solicitor present.

Disputed at trial

During the first 16 interviews he denied any involvement in the murder of Pte Clark.

However it was alleged he later admitted driving gunmen to the scene of the crime. Mr McDevitt disputed this at trial.

Now, his legal team said they have been told none of the original police interview notes from his time in Castlereagh can be located, or the custody record.