20 March 1997 Edition

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Damien Sullivan wins appeal

by Eoin O'Broin

West Belfast man Damien Sullivan walked free last week after having a life sentence quashed. Sullivan was sentenced to life in May 1994 in connection with the shooting of a security guard at Anderson and McAuley's store in the centre of Belfast.

The conviction of Sullivan's co-accused, Thomas Fox, also from West Belfast, was upheld and he was returned to Long Kesh to serve a life sentence.

Speaking at a press confrence later, Sullivan said; ``I can't actually believe I am back home today. I'm still shell-shocked and think I will be for some time to come''. Sullivan went on to attack the Diplock system: ``the Diplock system has been proved today to be totally unsafe. My release also shows how unsafe Thomas Fox's conviction was and I hope that too will be overturned in the future''.

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