A SENIOR Sinn Féin figure has said “serious concerns” exist over the conviction of two men for the murder of PSNI officer Stephen Carroll.
Party chairman Declan Kearney was speaking after he led a “fact-finding delegation” into Maghaberry Prison last week to meet with “political prisoners”, non-paramilitary inmates and prison authorities.
He was joined by former IRA hunger striker Pat Sheehan and assembly member Michaela Boyle.
The group met with republican prisoners Brendan McConville and Tony Taylor.
McConville was convicted along with fellow Craigavon man John Paul Wootton of killing Constable Carroll (48) in the town in 2009.
The men denied involvement in the Continuity IRA sniper attack and have been the focus of a campaign to have their convictions overturned.
“We discussed the serious concerns, which exist in relation to the convictions of Brendan and his co-accused John Paul Wootton,” Mr Kearney said.
He also repeated his party’s call for Derry man Tony Taylor to be released, claiming he has been “wrongfully detained”.
The former republican prisoner was returned to jail earlier this year when his early release licence was revoked by former secretary of state Theresa Villiers.
Mr Kearney added that more must be done to improve conditions at the prison.
“Both political and ordinary prisoners, as well as members of staff, are all entitled to be treated with the highest standards of equality, respect and dignity.”
