Former Derry City star Paddy McCourt to appeal sexual assault conviction

Former Derry City star Paddy McCourt will appeal against his sexual assault conviction tomorrow.

McCourt was charged in relation to an allegation of sexual assault on a woman in Derry nightclub, Bar 57 in the early hours of January 30, 2022.

The former Celtic midfielder was convicted of the offence in July of this year.

He was sentenced to three months imprisonment suspended for two years. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a period of five years.

At the sentencing hearing at Derry District Judges’ Court McCourt's legal team confirmed that they did not accept his conviction and would be appealing the Court’s decision.

Solicitor Ciarán Shiels said: “Tomorrow marks the commencement of a two-day appeal against conviction in respect of our client Patrick McCourt. This will involve a full re-hearing and a close forensic examination of the evidence that was given in the lower Court as well as the reasoning of the Magistrate in his judgment convicting Mr McCourt.

“Our position is that a grave miscarriage of justice occurred in Derry District Court earlier this year. This situation requires the Courts to urgently correct this position."