Former police officers charged with miscarriage of justice in Derry

Two ex-RUC officers appeared in court today charged in connection with an alleged miscarriage of justice in Derry over 30 years ago.

John McGahan, 71, whose address was given as the PSNI headquarters, Knock Road, Belfast, is charged with having perverted the course of justice by having taken a written statement from Gerald McGowan which was not his independent account of his involvement in the murder of Lieutenant Steven Kirby, a British soldier shot dead by the IRA in Derry in 1979.

Noel Philip Thompson, 64, of the same address, faces a charge of perverting the course of justice by recording a written statement after caution from Gerald McGowan which was not his independent account of his involvement in the shooting of Noel Smith in 1979.

Gerald McGowan was one of the so-called 'Derry Four', who were allegedly forced into admitting their involvement in the murder of Lt. Kirby after being beaten at Strand Road RUC station in 1979.

All of the offences facing the ex-RUC officers are alleged to have occurred on a date unknown between February 27, 1979 and March 2, 1979.

Both men appeared at a short hearing at Derry Magistrates Court this morning.

Neither of the men spoke during the hearing.

The case was adjourned until September 26.