Convicted murderer and rapist John McDonagh wants to retest forensic evidence, court hears

At the Court of Appeal, counsel Michael O’Higgins said that, in 2007, an attempt was made to introduce new evidence, but this was refused by the courts

John McDonagh was 27 when he was found guilty in 2001 by a Central Criminal Court jury of the rape and murder of 17-year-old Siobhan Hynes. File Picture: Courtpix

A 51-year-old man who has spent 24 years in prison for the rape and murder of a Connemara schoolgirl has claimed that his conviction was a miscarriage of justice, arguing that he should have the right to retest forensic evidence.

“Some of the samples haven’t been tested at all. Is there anything unreasonable in asking them to be tested now?” said counsel Michael O’Higgins on Monday, launching an appeal by John McDonagh.