Judgement reserved in Carroll appeal case

Brendan McConville, 42, of Glenholme Avenue in Craigavon, and 22-year-old John Paul Wootton, from Colindale in Lurgan, are serving life sentences.

Constable Stephen Carroll was shot dead as he responded to a 999 call in Craigavon in March 2009.

Defence lawyers claimed the convictions were unsafe and argued that there should not be a retrial.

The prosecution said the evidence of a defence witness in the appeal was “inherently unreliable”.

McConville is serving at least a 25-year-sentence for the murder. Wootton received a minimum 14-year term.

Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan said the three judges who have heard the appeal would deliver their verdict “as soon as possible”.