The 19 March 1988 shooting of British Army corporals David Howes and Derek Wood at a funeral procession, led to over 200 arrests and 41 prosecutions, many of which failed to satisfy international fair trial standards. Patrick Kane, Michael Timmons and Sean Kelly, were convicted on 30 March 1990 after trial in a “Diplock Court” and sentenced to life imprisonment. The Northern Ireland Office is currently reviewing their cases. Patrick Kane, aged 29, with the IQ of an 11-year-old and a serious hearing disability, was interrogated without a lawyer or other appropriate adult. His confession was admitted despite evident falsehoods. Sean Kelly, who exercised his right to silence, was convicted after the presiding judge drew inferences of guilt from this.
