Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for allowing me the opportunity to speak on this Adjournment matter. I strongly support what Deputy Glennon said. It is refreshing to see a former international rugby star support another sportsman, Christy McGrath. I am delighted to announce that up to 40 Deputies and Senators have indicated their support for this campaign and 50 MPs support the campaign to have Christy's case reopened. I commend Senator Ó Murchú and my Independent colleague, Deputy Healy, for their work on this case.

Christy McGrath, a young jump jockey from Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of ex-football player, Gary Walton, in a Durham village in July 2000. Christy has denied repeatedly that he was responsible for Walton's death. He is seeking immediate appeal against this unjust conviction. On leaving a County Durham pub Christy McGrath was accosted, racially abused and assaulted by Gary Walton. Attempting to regain entrance to the pub, Christy was again attacked by Walton with a brick and was forced to defend himself. Walton was alive when Christy left the scene. Other men, two wearing balaclavas, are known to have approached Walton on the night after Christy left. One returned to the scene more than once. The body was found by police the following morning. Walton died of strangulation. He was strangled with such force that his neck and vertebrae were broken. Walton was over 6 ft tall and heavily built, Christy is more slightly built and a shorter man.

Throughout the course of their investigations, the police referred to Christy as "the Irish lad". He had no motive to kill Gary Walton. Christy tried to avoid the fight by running back to the pub. Witnesses in Christy's favour were never heard. One admitted washing blood-stained clothes while another stated seeing a murder by men in balaclavas. Police claimed they were unable to state the time of Gary Walton's death. Christy only learnt that the victim had died of strangulation after he pleaded guilty in court.

Christy McGrath's family and supporters are calling for the immediate referral of this case to the Court of Appeal. The investigation into the killing of Gary Walton should be reopened as a matter of urgency. The day before his trial for murder, Christy's lawyer put pressure on him to change his plea to guilty. He was told that if he did not, he would serve between 25 and 30 years in prison.

I urge people to support this campaign. It is a genuine one. I hope this will not be another miscarriage of justice.

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