IRA conviction sent back to appeal court

The floodgates could be opened on a series of appeals by people convicted of terrorist offences in Northern Ireland more than 20 years ago following a decision by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, it has been claimed.

The conviction of a Belfast man jailed 25 years ago for IRA membership and possession of weapons has been referred back to the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal by the Commission because of question marks over the validity of police evidence.