A test case over the convictions of alleged terrorists mainly as a result of their confession statements opened in the Court of Appeal in Belfast yesterday.
The case of Gerard Magee (36), Niblock Road, Antrim, was referred to the court by the Criminal Cases Review Commission following a judgment by the European Court of Human Rights last June.
It held that Magee's admission at Castlereagh Holding Centre, Belfast, after he was denied access to a solicitor for over two days was in breach of his right to a fair trial under Article 6 of the European Convention.
Magee was in court to hear the case before the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Robert Carswell, Lord Justice McCollum and Mr Justice Kerr, who are expected to reserve judgment.