Kerry Man’s murder conviction upheld

A Kerryman with learning difficulties has lost his appeal before Europe’s top human rights court to have his conviction for a murder in the North overturned.

The European Court of Human Rights yesterday rejected an application by Matthew O’Donnell, aged 38, who comes originally from Castlemaine, Co Kerry, that the manner of his conviction had breached his rights to a fair trial.

O’Donnell, who also lived at various stages in Tralee, Monaghan, and Galway, is serving a life sentence with the requirement to serve a minimum of 12 years at Maghaberry Prison in Lisburn, for the murder of Noel Williamson in Caledon, Co Tyrone, in October 2004.