The CCRC must now refer the convictions of the Craigavon Two back to the Court of Appeal after it has emerged the PSNI spied on their legal team

John Paul Wootton and Brendan McConville (The Craigavon Two)

On December 17th 2024, two Irish investigative journalists, Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffery were arrested. Their homes and offices were raided. It was found the warrants had been "inappropriate" The two Journalists brought their case to the IPT (Investigatory Powers Tribunal) at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Both journalists won their case and a substantial amount of money. 

On the back of this became the birth of a independent review headed by Angus McCullough KC on unauthorised surveillance on Journalists and Lawyers by the police service of Northern Ireland, known as the PSNI. 

On Wednesday 24th September 2025 at 11.30 am the McCullough report was published. Two solicitors who represent Brendan McConville one of the men known as The Craigavon Two were included in the report. 

Darragh Mackin and Peter Corrigan who are partners in a Law firm called Pheonix Law had been under surveillance. 

In March 2009, a high profile case came after the shooting of police constable Stephen Carroll who was shot dead on a sprawling housing estate in Craigavon, County Armagh after he attended a 999 call. A group of men were subsequently arrested and detained. One man and a 17 boy were later charged. Brendan McConville and John Paul Wootton. 

Eleven months after the shooting a witness came forward under the influence of alcohol after The Sun newspaper put up a reward of £50,000. He became the key witness for the prosecution and went under police protection and became known as Witness M. His father was a witness for the defence. 

In 2013, as an appeal was being prepared, it has now emerged from the McCullough report, Brendan's legal team were placed under surveillance in the run up to the appeal. During this time Witness M's Father was arrested. The appeal failed to overturn the convictions. 

The shocking development by Angus McCullough KC revealed authorisation was given to obtain the solicitors communications data in 2013 focusing on the Craigavon Two case. It is believed part of the investigation into suspected "witness intimidation" on Witness M's Father. The McCullough report sets out concerns of "legal, professional, privilege" in relation to the authorisations. Details of the matter are referred to in a case study (Craigavon Two) contained within the report. 

The review has confirmed that unlawful covert surveillance operation was conducted. The implications are crystal clear, legal privilege was violated. 

Brendan McConville's Article 6, the right to a fair trial was violated. 

Brendan and John Paul Wootton have been wrongfully convicted for sixteen and a half years. 

Both men have always denied their involvement and are the focus of a long running justice campaign, which was first headed by the late Gerry Conlon, who himself was wrongly convicted and imprison as part of the case know as the Guildford Four.  

The convictions of the Craigavon Two must be re-examined as a matter of urgency by the CCRC (Criminal Case Review Commission). Darragh Mackin has submitted the McCullough report to them. This case must be sent back to the Court of Appeal, Justice cannot merely be seen to be done, it must be done. 

Justice for the Craigavon two! 

By Siobhán McConville (wife of Brendan McConville)

#JFTC2