Joseph Fitzpatrick

Year of crime:

1976-1977

Year conviction was overturned:

2009

Joseph Fitzpatrick was arrested on 8 March 1977. He was 16 years old. He was questioned over 2 days. He was denied access to a solicitor. He was denied access to his parents or an appropriate adult.

This was a violation of the Judges’ Rules at the time.

In September 2008, the CCRC referred his conviction on the basis that this violation made admissions of guilt by Mr Fitzpatrick unreliable and / or inadmissible. On 1 May 2009, the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal quashed Mr Fitzpatrick’s conviction.

View Press (www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk)

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Offence: Other
Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland
County: County Londonderry
Gender: M
Offence convicted of: Arson, membership of a proscribed organisation, conspiracy to communicate information with respect to members of HM's forces which was likely to be useful to terrorists
Year of crime: 1976-1977
Year of initial conviction: 1977
Year conviction was overturned: 2009
Age when imprisoned: 16
Age when released: 21
CCRC Referral: Y
Post Office Case: N
Tried with others: N
Compensation: No
Link to compensation: https://www.judiciaryni.uk/files/judiciaryni/decisions/Fitzpatrick%20%26%20Anor%20f or%20judicial%20review.pdf
Crown argued case at CofA: N
Retrial: N
Previous appeals: N