European court to rule on murder appeal conviction

A Kerry man who is serving a life sentence for murder in a prison in the North will find out tomorrow if he is successful in his attempt to overturn the conviction on grounds he was denied a fair trial.

The European Court of Human Rights will issue its ruling in Strasbourg, in a legal challenge brought by Matthew O’Donnell, 35, over his claims that the trial judge’s handling of the case prevented him from getting a fair hearing.

The man is serving a life sentence in Magahaberry Prison for the murder of 30-year-old Noel Williamson in Co Tyrone in 2004.