John Joseph Boyle

Years in prison:
9
Year of crime:
1977
Year conviction was overturned:
2003

John Joseph Boyle was convicted of crimes relating to his alleged role in an IRA attempt to murder a policeman. Boyle’s conviction was based on an alleged confession. On appeal, new evidence showed that police had rewritten notes (and these notes had been used to support the contention that Boyle had confessed). This undermined the credibility of the police who had maintained that the interview notes were made at the time of the interview. On this basis, the court concluded that they could not regard the conviction as safe.

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  • Offence: Other
  • Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland
  • County: Unknown 
  • Ethnicity: White
  • Gender: M
  • Years in prison: 9
  • Offence convicted of: Membership of proscribed organisation; possession of firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life
  • Year of crime: 1977
  • Year of initial conviction: 1977
  • Year conviction was overturned: 2003
  • Age when imprisoned: Unknown
  • CCRC Referral: Y
  • Tried with others: Unknown
  • Link to full case: https://www.bailii.org/nie/cases/NICA/2003/2003_NICA_57.html
  • Type of fresh evidence at appeal: Evidence casting doubt on the integrity of police
  • Compensation: No
  • Crown argued case at CofA: Unknown
  • Retrial: Unknown
  • Previous appeals: Unsuccessful appeal upon conviction