Derry man says he is 'not deterred in my campaign to clear my name' after murder conviction appeal dismissed
A Derry man has said he is “not deterred in my campaign to clear my name” after an appeal to overturn his conviction for murder and firearms charges was dismissed.
John McDevitt has had his convictions in relation to the 1984 Easter Monday killing of British soldier, Private Neil Clarke in Bishop Street upheld in the Court of Appeal in Belfast on Friday morning.
The Appeal, which opened on Wednesday, June 18, 2026 and finished on Thursday, June 18, 2026, was heard by Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan, Justice Adrian Colton and Justice Stephen Fowler.
Speaking after the Appeal Court judgement on Friday, John McDevitt said: "While I am disappointed with the Court of Appeal judgement today, I am not deterred in my campaign to clear my name.
"I maintain my innocence in relation to this murder conviction and the other four offences including wounding of other soldiers. I maintain that the false confession used for the murder conviction was obtained using oppressive and coercive interview techniques by deterctives. I never at any time transported either guns or gunmen to the scene.”
Mr McDevitt said it was his intention now to go back to the Criminal Case Review Commission for a third time.
He said he wanted them to look at several issues and recent developments, in particular, military intelligence and a State agent in relation to the guns used to kill Private Neil Clarke and wound the other soldiers.
"This aspect of the police investigation/prosecution case against me which underpins the five convictions has never been fully explored, either by the police, the Prosecution Service, or by the Court,” he contended.
"I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank my family, supporters and legal team who have supported me throughout this appeal and indeed over the past 43 years in my pursuit for justice, and the people of Derry who have always accepted my innocence," Mr McDevitt added.
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood, who has attended court with Mr McDevitt throughout the case, said that he will continue to support John McDevitt in his fight to clear his name.
Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said: “Today’s verdict is extremely disappointing for John McDevitt, who has fought for 43 years to clear his name. He spent over a decade of his life in prison and, whatever today’s verdict, there remain significant questions about his conviction and the way his case was handled. John has already indicated that he will continue the fight to clear his name and he has my full support. I have always believed in his innocence.
“John McDevitt was just 19 years old when he was arrested and subjected to days of inhumane interrogation. Officers used intimidation to coerce a frightened young man into admitting to something which he is adamant he was not involved in”.
Mr Eastwood said questions remain about the role of MI5 and the State agent, as well as files concerning the interviewing officers which have yet to be disclosed.
“I was proud to stand alongside John McDevitt and his family at court today. He is a man of quiet dignity, unembittered by his experience, who only wants to prove his innocence.
"Everyone in Derry that knows anything about John or this case knows that he is innocent and I hope he will take some comfort from that as he continues his efforts to clear his name through the Criminal Cases Review Commission.”