McDonald, Peter

Peter McDonald was convicted in December 1977 of conspiracy to discharge a firearm, conspiracy to communication prohibited information, conspiracy to cause an explosion, and belonging to a proscribed organisation. Mr McDonald received a sentence of three years’ imprisonment.

The CCRC received an application for review of the conviction in April 2007.

Following investigation, the CCRC concluded that the manner in which Mr McDonald, then aged 16, was detained and interviewed involved significant breaches of the Judges’ Rules and other protections which he should have enjoyed.

This included a failure to ensure the presence of an appropriate adult during interview and the failure to allow Mr McDonald access to legal advice.

The CCRC considered that in consequence of these breaches, admissions to guilt made by Mr Wright were unreliable and/or inadmissible.

The CCRC referred the conviction in July 2009.

The Northern Ireland Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in May 2012.