A campaign has been launched on both sides of the Irish Sea to overturn the conviction of a Co Tipperary jockey who was sentenced to life imprisonment in England in January for the murder of a former footballer.
Christopher McGrath (23), originally from Sean Treacy Park, Carrick-on-Suir, was jailed for life at Teeside Crown Court for the murder of Gary Walton last July. McGrath plans to appeal the conviction and his case has been taken up by Ms Gareth Peirce, the solicitor for the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four.
He is being supported by the Miscarriages Of Justice Organisation (MOJO), set up by Mr Paddy Hill of the Birmingham Six and Hayes and Harlington MP Mr John McDonnell; and Mr Billy Power, of the Birmingham Six.
Meanwhile, South Tipperary TD Mr Seamus Healy said there seemed to be very serious question marks arising from McGrath's conviction. McGrath's family have also vowed to clear his name. His father Christy, mother Anne, and sister Caroline visited him in prison this week and were due to visit the House of Commons this week with members of MOJO.
Teesside Crown Court was told in January that McGrath had left Mr Walton unrecognisable when he beat him about the face with a brick behind the Miners Arms pub in Coundon, Co Durham, on July 17th. He was said to have taken two ecstasy tablets and was drinking heavily before the attack on the window cleaner, who had previously been on the books of Newcastle United football club.
An argument was said to have arisen after Mr Walton had poked fun at the jockey for being Irish.