Long says hate crime is a blight on our society
NICOLE McBRIDE, Irish News, September 17th, 2025
HATE crime has been described as a “cancer within our society”.
Justice Minister Naomi Long made the comments as she was questioned about racial hate crimes as numbers hit a record high.
There were 2,049 racist incidents and 1,329 race hate crimes across the north in the 12 months from July 1 last year to June 30 this year, according to recent PSNI data.
These are the highest figures since such data began to be collated and reported by the PSNI in 2004-05.
In a meeting of the assembly yesterday, the issue of racial hate crime was raised by SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone following several incidents of racially-motivated hate crimes here.
Ms Long said: “This is a priority for me. It is something that I’m incredibly concerned about. It is a cancer within our society.
“It is destroying the fabric of our society, and it is doing no-one – neither those who live in those communities traditionally, nor those who come to Northern Ireland to make it their home – any favours whatsoever.
“It’s important that there is a proper policing response. It’s important that there is a proper criminal justice response.”
Ms Long said she is working with those in the Executive Office, in the Department for Communities, the Education Department and the Department for the Economy.
She said their aim is to invest in communities to tackle underlying issues and challenge the narrative that they “believe is being exploited”.
Mr McGlone pressed the minister about the extra resources that the PSNI require and what the assembly has been able to offer them in assistance.
£5 million spent on policing racially motivated incidents
Five million pounds of mutual aid was provided for community policing during the racially motivated incidents that occurred over the course of the summer.
Ms Long added: “It’s another example of where bad behaviour ends up absorbing resources that could otherwise be invested, where it might do some good. And that’s a classic example.
“We cannot just rely on community policing. The hate is going to have to be tackled by us all, and not just by policing injustice.”
The “racially motivated hate crimes” were addressed in the meeting following several incidents, including one in east Belfast where cars were damaged following a large gathering at Factory Street.
Ms Long said: “There’s absolutely no place in our society for the hate and the racism and the intimidation that we have witnessed in our streets, not just over recent weeks, but over recent months.
“I would really urge people not to get involved in this despicable behaviour, not to allow their frustrations with services in their neighbourhood to be displaced and target those who are similarly disadvantaged, but for them to focus on working with their elected representatives, to articulate those areas of concern that they may have. To address these with those of us who are serious about wanting to see those communities improved but will not tolerate sectarianism, hatred, violence or racism on our streets.”
Man in court on charges linked to vigilante activity
ALAN ERWIN, Irish News, September 17th, 2025
A MAN appeared in court yesterday on assault and theft charges linked to an investigation into suspected vigilante activity in east Belfast.
Neil Pinkerton is accused of targeting another man and stealing his sleeping bag during an incident over the summer.
The 37-year-old, of Clandeboye Street in the city, faces charges of carrying out the common assault and theft on July 22.
He was detained as part of a wider probe into reports of alleged vigilante behaviour in the area.
Videos posted online last month appeared to show groups of men stopping and questioning individuals from ethnic minority communities.
Pinkerton is currently remanded in custody on separate charges of common assault, disorderly behaviour, harassment, attempted criminal damage and incitement to hatred.
Neil Pinkerton appeared in court yesterday on assault and theft charges.
Those proceedings relate to an incident outside a McDonald’s restaurant in Connswater Retail Park earlier this month where a food delivery driver was allegedly threatened and racially abused before footage appeared on TikTok.
Appearing remotely at Belfast magistrates court yesterday, Pinkerton confirmed he understood the new charges.
An investigating PSNI officer said he could connect the accused to the alleged offences.
No further details about the incident were disclosed during the brief hearing.
District Judge Steven Keown adjourned the case until October 14, when a further update will be provided.
Newry councillors approve joining ‘city of sanctuary network’ despite protests
CONOR COYLE, Irish News, September 17th, 2025
COUNCILLORS in Newry, Mourne and Down have voted to approve plans to join the city of sanctuary network after protests and counter protests over the plans.
A group known as the Locals First Initiative organised the rally in Newry to oppose the plans, which would see the local authority joining a network of statutory bodies which commit to providing support to asylum seekers that have been placed in the area.
Irish tricolours were among flags which were seen at the rally, in one of the first significant examples of anti-immigration protests being organised in a majority nationalist area in the north.
Two DUP councillors were the only representatives to vote against the proposal to join the network on Monday evening, while representatives from Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance voted for the proposal.
Sinn Féin councillor Declan Murphy proposed to accept a recommendation from council officers to pursue the status.
Opposing the proposal DUP councillor Jonathan Jackson said people in the area have “genuine concerns about the impact of illegal immigration” and that “people have had enough of this type of nonsense”.
“We just feel that the move towards the council becoming a council of sanctuary should not be on the agenda,” Cllr Jackson said.
“We’re in the middle of an immigration crisis and those parties that choose to ignore this issue or stay silent are simply not living in reality.”
A council report provided to local representatives ahead of the meeting of its active and healthy communities committee pointed out that the council had no input into how many asylum seekers were placed in the area and that becoming a council of sanctuary would have no impact on the numbers housed there.
Doire Finn, SDLP councillor, said the report dispelled “myths and disinformation on online platforms” which had circulated about the proposal in recent months.
“The recognition of this award does not give council any powers over immigration or who may choose to live in the area and it must be made clear that any decision about immigration, asylum and dispersal are made by the UK government and Home Office.
“This proposal this evening, seeks to continue making our district a welcoming and open place, something that I already know Newry to be, and know it will be in the future.”
Anti-immigration protests planned in several locations across the north
ALLAN PRESTON, Irish News, September 17th, 2025
A SERIES of anti-immigration protests have been planned in a number of locations across the north tomorrow night.
Several groups have posted online about ‘Operation Shutdown,’ with locations so far including ‘Freedom Corner’ beside loyalist paramilitary murals on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast and in Carrickfergus.
The event has been highlighted on the social media page, Official Protestant Coalition.
Originally linked to the loyalist flag protests of 2012, the page has more recently highlighted anti-immigration protests in Belfast and celebrated the death of Pope Francis while comparing him to the anti-Christ. After sharing a poster for Operation Shutdown on Monday, the group then posted about the UK Government’s Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.
“The Afghans can GTF. Our government are a disgrace dishing out that amount of money while we have our own people including veterans and homeless without 2 pennies to rub together.
“I am ashamed of my government,” the post read.
The page also called on supporters to keep any protests peaceful.
“This is only the beginning of things to come –we will never give up fighting for the future of our children and grandchildren,” the group wrote.
“Let’s stay united, keep it peaceful, and do not let the usual suspects – statutory agencies – agitate or divide us. No surrender!”
Anti-immigration protests have become increasingly common across Northern Ireland in recent years.
While some have been well-attended, many others have only attracted small numbers.
Commenting ahead of tomorrow’s planned protests, a PSNI spokesperson said: “Police are aware of planned protests taking place across multiple locations this Thursday, September 18 from 7pm.
“We are monitoring the situation and are planning for a proportionate policing response.”
25,000 tonnes of chemicals to make Lough’s water drinkable
CONOR COYLE, Irish News, September 17th, 2025
Amount used each year by NI Water to combat Lough Neagh’s blue-green algae blooms is decreasing
CONOR COYLE, Irish News, September 17th, 2025
MORE than 25,000 tonnes of chemicals have been used by NI Water in the last year at its treatment centres to make the water in Lough Neagh drinkable.
Four water treatment plants situated around the largest freshwater lake in the UK and Ireland supply 40% of the drinking water in Northern Ireland.
Toxic blue-green algae blooms once again returned to large parts of Lough Neagh this summer, with concerns growing over the potential impact on drinking water for the public.
The eel fishing industry has been suspended while the Executive has agreed a Lough Neagh Action Plan to tackle the crisis.
New figures released following an Assembly Question from TUV MLA Timothy Gaston to Infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins show that a total of 25,104 tonnes of chemicals were used by NI Water to treat the water coming from Lough Neagh in 12 months (2023/24).
Among the most heavily used chemicals are aluminium sulphate, sulphuric acid and calcium hydroxide.
Despite the sizable amount of chemicals used, the figures also show that the total tonnage of chemicals used to treat Lough Neagh water has actually been decreasing since 2019, in the years since blue-green algae blooms have become more prominent.
The total tonnage of chemicals has dropped compared with the previous two years during which potentially toxic algae blooms were also present on the lough, with just under 30,000 tonnes registered as being used by NI Water in 2022/23 and 2021/22.
In 2019/20, that figure was more than 32,000.
The figures released by the Infrastructure minister show a total of 12 chemicals are used by the water body, which operates under DfI, at its four treatment plants at Dunore Point (Crumlin), Castor Bay (Lurgan), Ballinrees (Coleraine) and Moyola.
‘A stark reminder of Lough Neagh crisis’
An FOI request in September 2024 asking for NI Water to release details of the total amount of chemicals it uses at the treatment plants had been rejected due to the information being considered “highly sensitive”.
“There is a very real, not merely hypothetical, risk that the release of the requested details to the wider public could be useful for subversive activity to those with malicious intent,” the response said at the time.
‘Best practice’
A spokesperson for NI Water said the addition of chemicals is part of the treatment of drinking water across the UK and is considered “best practice” in much of the developed world.
“The water supply is rigorously tested in our laboratories where we can confirm that it is safe to drink,” the spokesperson said.
“Water quality sampling is an important process as it enables us to monitor water quality and therefore to provide reassurance to our customers, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and the health authorities, that the water remains safe to drink.
“All chemicals used in the treatment of drinking water by NI Water are approved for the use of public drinking water supply.
“The quantities of chemicals used at the water treatment works that use Lough Neagh as the raw water source are consistent with that for our other treatment works, taking into consideration the size of the treatment works and volume of water being treated.”
TUV MLA Mr Gaston said the figures show the extent of the challenge faced by the Executive in tackling problems at Lough Neagh.
“The figures provided highlight the immense effort and cost required to make this vital water supply safe for consumers amid ongoing environmental challenges,” he said.
“However, these numbers also serve as a stark reminder of the underlying crisis plaguing Lough Neagh. The lake’s persistent blue green algae blooms necessitate this heavy reliance on chemical treatments.
“It’s clear that we’re treating symptoms rather than the disease. If we truly want to reduce this chemical footprint and protect our water quality long-term, we must stop scapegoating our hardworking farmers and instead hold NI Water accountable for their role in discharging raw sewage into the lough.”
Catholics 'more worried about climate issues, more likely to back tough steps'
KURTIS REID, Belfast Telegraph, September 17th, 2025
OPINIONS SPLIT ALONG SECTARIAN LINES, STUDY FINDS
Catholics are significantly more concerned about climate change than Protestants, according to new research.
The latest Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) Survey found Catholics were more likely to view climate change as caused by humans, to trust scientific experts, and to back stronger action.
Within Protestant denominations, attitudes vary, with Presbyterians notably more sceptical than members of the Church of Ireland.
The survey of 1,199 adults included 383 respondents who identified as Catholic, 193 as Presbyterian and 144 as members of the Church of Ireland.
It was carried out by ARK, a collaboration between Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University.
Those of no religion and Catholics showed the highest levels of concern and support for action, followed by the Church of Ireland, with Others and Presbyterians lowest.
Regular religious service attendance was associated with a slight increase in scepticism on whether humans cause climate change, whether scientists can be trusted, and whether strong policy action is needed.
By contrast, people raised in a religion but no longer identifying with it expressed greater concern than people still part of denominations.
Respondents were asked if they believed climate change was caused by natural processes, human activity or both.
Some 62% of Catholics here chose 'mainly or entirely by human activity', compared with 56% of the Church of Ireland respondents, 49% of the Others, and 38% of Presbyterians.
Most Presbyterians distrust science
Trust in experts also diverged. Fewer than half (47%) of Presbyterians agreed scientific experts could be trusted to tell the truth about climate change, compared to three quarters (75%) of Catholics.
Asked whether politicians should be doing more, 80% of Catholics and those of no religion agreed, compared to 65% of Presbyterians.
On personal worry about climate change, the highest levels were among non-believers (78%), closely followed by Catholics (77%), then members of the Church of Ireland (69%), Presbyterians (53%) and Others (52%).
Catholics reported the strongest sense of personal responsibility to play their part (81%), ahead of Church of Ireland (75%) and Presbyterians (68%).
Co-author Dr Jonny Hanson, from Queen's University's School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, said: “Climate change is a defining issue of our time. There is therefore an urgent need for engagement with religious communities to address climate change in Northern Ireland and beyond.
“Our research points to the need for moral leadership from religious communities, especially as the Climate Change Act is fully implemented in the coming years.
“But the timing is good. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland is hosting a major conference at the end of September here in Belfast entitled God's world: Our Responsibility?
“It will hopefully see much discussion and leadership on some of these very important issues.”
Professor Gladys Ganiel, also from the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, said: “The research shows strong connections between religion and climate attitudes in Northern Ireland, highlighting the importance of considering faith perspectives in climate debates and policymaking.”
Co-author Dr Emma Soye, from Queen's School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, added: “The NILT data suggests that those seeking to influence attitudes on climate change in different religious settings need to engage with specific realities within those communities.”
The full paper will be published by ARK in due course.
A spokesperson for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland said: “These are interesting findings. As a church, we will be holding a conference on September 27, in Belfast, entitled God's World: Our Responsibility?
“At it, we will explore the biblical story, from creation to new creation, showing how our responsibility to God for the Earth connects with proclaiming the Gospel and loving our neighbour.
“The conference is for anyone interested in creation and our responsibility to it.”
The Catholic Communications Office was contacted for comment.
Belfast Council won’t say when it was aware of asbestos at controversial bonfire site
ANDREW MADDEN, Belfast Telegraph, September 17th, 2025
OWNERS AWARE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL IN 2017, WITH MATTER 'SUBJECT OF INQUIRY'
Belfast City Council has refused to say when it became aware of asbestos at the site of a controversial Eleventh Night bonfire.
Officials said they can't reveal details as the matter is “subject of an inquiry of a criminal nature and legal proceedings”.
Owners of the site on Meridi Street, just off the Donegall Road in the Village area, were made aware of the hazardous material on the land when they purchased it in 2017. In the weeks before the pyre was lit, concerns were repeatedly raised that the bonfire posed a health and safety risk and the council agreed to have it removed. But this did not happen after the PSNI said it would not assist in the task.
The PSNI said the decision was made following a meeting of stakeholders and involved “carefully balancing potentially competing statutory and human rights obligations”.
“The consensus of the meeting was that the risk of the bonfire proceeding as planned was lower and more manageable than the intervention of contractors and the proposed methodology of dismantling the bonfire,” a spokesperson added.
Critics questioned why the council left it so late to decide to act, given that the presence of asbestos was widely known.
The day before the bonfire was lit, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) removed around 20kg of asbestos from the site, but some of the hazardous material still remained.
Environment Minister Andrew Muir later revealed that a criminal investigation was underway.
Criminal investigation
The probe, by the NIEA, was opened on May 19.
Mr Muir said the NIEA “rightly considers this very seriously and will be doing all that they can in regards to it, because this is an issue of concern and the officials in my department are working studiously in regards to it”.
The council was asked, via a Freedom of Information request, when it became aware of asbestos at the site, but an official refused to reveal details.
“The information requested is the subject of an inquiry of a criminal nature and legal proceedings,” they said.
“This information is protected by legal professional privilege, and the claim to privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.”
A spokesperson added they are “not currently in a position to release any further information beyond what we've shared in the FOI”.
Alliance councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown said the council should reveal when it became aware of the issue.
“While I understand there is an ongoing environmental crime investigation, Belfast City Council needs to set out a clear timeline over their actions regarding this asbestos, specifically what they knew and when,” he said.
The landowners of the site, Boron Developments, have been contacted for comment.
In August, a spokesperson for the firm told the BBC they were “not aware” of any new investigation in relation to the site.
They added that they were in “weekly contact” with the NIEA and city council and had reported the removal of gates to an entrance on the site to the police as they said they “could not secure the site until this entrance was blocked”.
They also said that contractors who will remove the asbestos will be taking “full control” of the site, with the process due to be completed by September. It is unclear if this has happened to date.
The NIEA was contacted for comment.
Boycotting Trump banquet 'doesn't change anything' - Little-Pengelly
O'NEILL OPPOSES EVENT AT WINDSOR CASTLE IN PROTEST OF CRISIS IN GAZA
REBECCA BLACK, Belfast Telegraph, September 17th, 2025
Boycotting a banquet being thrown for the visit of US President Donald Trump “doesn't change anything”, the deputy First Minister has said.
Emma Little-Pengelly is set to attend this evening's banquet at Windsor Castle. However, First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said she will not go.
Last week, Ms O'Neill insisted she is “very comfortable” with her decision, adding that she had plenty of engagement with the US administration, but said people should be more concerned about the “biggest humanitarian crisis of our time” in Gaza.
Ms Little-Pengelly said she feels “hugely honoured” to be part of the UK delegation for the State visit, noting that the King had been “very keen” to ensure all the regions are involved in State visits.
She described such occasions as “really important opportunities for important conversations”.
“It's a way that the UK engages, not just with the president or a prime minister but of course all of those people who come with the Prime Minister or president,” she told BBC Radio Ulster.
“We all want to see peace, we want to see peace break out in the Middle East, but quite frankly, everyone can see that world leaders are engaging with President Trump.
“He's the democratically elected president of the US, they have a hugely important role internationally in terms of trying to bring about that peace, so of course we should engage.”
What is she trying to achieve?
The Stormont deputy First Minister added: “I think the key thing is to ask yourself is: what does Michelle O'Neill not attending achieve?
“It doesn't change anything, but in fact, engaging, talking to people, being part of that very strong UK delegation during the State visit where inevitably and of course defence will be talked about, everyone as part of that delegation will be urging a peaceful resolution.”
During the First Minister's appearance before her Stormont scrutiny committee last week, she was questioned on the issue by DUP MLA Brian Kingston.
He said: “Part of the role of joint first ministers is engaging with other heads of states and their administrations for the people of Northern Ireland.
“Surely the USA should be at the top of our list given the amount of investment they bring to NI, whatever one thinks of the current incumbent, they should be at the top of our list.”
Ms O'Neill responded: “Surely the starving children of Gaza should be at the top of your list, and everyone else's list.”
Mr Kingston said the Gaza crisis did not mean Northern Ireland should “cut itself off” from the US administration.
The First Minister said: “Indeed, I do not. I have plenty of engagement with people across the American administration and will continue to do so.
“But at a time when the world is looking on at the biggest humanitarian crisis of our time, at a time when starvation is being used as a weapon of war, at a time when the world is increasingly moving towards a militarised agenda to the detriment of people across the globe, at this time, the priority should be ending the genocide in Gaza.
"At this time the priority should be every international voice making their voice heard and stopping Israel from acting with impunity.”
O’Neill ‘offended by all and ashamed of nothing’
NICOLE McBRIDE, Irish News, September 17th, 2025
FIRST Minister Michelle O’Neill has been accused of being “offended by everything and ashamed of nothing”, after a row over the Armed Forces presence at a Derry jobs fair.
In a meeting of the Assembly yesterday, DUP MLA Gary Middleton criticised Ms O’Neill after the Army withdrew from the event following opposition by some Sinn Féin, SDLP and independent councillors.
During members’ statements, Mr Middleton said that he decided to raise the topic after multiple people of all political persuasions across his community reached out to him, “sharing their frustration and disappointment at the position taken”.
He said: “This was blatant discrimination and bigotry, a shameful act towards those who wanted to apply for jobs, who wanted to engage with representatives within those sectors.
“This is now what we have come to expect from this First Minister for all, offended by everything, ashamed of nothing, happy to attend the commemoration and glorification of Republican terrorists, but unwilling to allow their Unionist neighbours to seek job opportunities in the Armed Forces sector. Happy to go after our Armed Forces and those who sought to protect our communities, but tells us there was no alternative to violence.
“A First Minister who seeks to make the rules but is happy to not apply them to herself. Happy to meet with those who share her political outlook.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said it was “a failure of leadership” in nationalism and republicanism.
Following Mr Robinson’s comments, Ms O’Neill said that Derry City and Strabane District Council should be respected, and the right decision had been made and, in an interview with the BBC, told him to “butt out”.
Mr Middleton added: “Sadly, that will be a surprise for some, but it’s not a surprise for people on these benches when we hear the words ‘butt out’.
“Many know that it also means ‘Brits out’,” he claimed.
Stormont's standards watchdog quits, a week into the job
LIAM TUNNEY, Belfast Telegraph, September 17th, 2025
PROCESS BRANDED 'A SHAMBLES' AS EX-PSNI OFFICER PICKED FOR ROLE TAKES ENGLISH JOB
The Assembly's newly-appointed Standards Commissioner has stepped away from the role — just over a week after his appointment was approved.
Mark McEwan was nominated for the role earlier this month, with the decision ratified by the Assembly on September 8.
However, the ex-PSNI officer has now informed Stormont chiefs he is unable to take on the role, having since been appointed as Deputy Chief Constable of Surrey Constabulary in England.
In a letter sent to MLAs, Speaker Edwin Poots said the Assembly Commission would now have to re-run the appointment process.
“Mr McEwan has today informed the Clerk/Chief Executive that he has been appointed as Deputy Chief Constable of the Surrey Constabulary and he has therefore stepped down as Commissioner of Standards with immediate effect as he prepares for his new role,” he said.
“The recent recruitment competition conducted by the Assembly Commission for the appointment of the Commissioner of Standards produced a list of appointable candidates.
“The Assembly Commission will now go through the necessary processes of pre-appointment checks in the coming weeks to come back to the Assembly to nominate a new Commissioner for Standards as soon as possible.
“While the Assembly Commission would have preferred not to have to come back to the Assembly on this matter so soon, this is a significant appointment for Mr McEwan and I therefore wish him every success in his new role.”
The commissioner's role is to act independently to investigate formal complaints against MLAs for alleged breaches of the code of conduct.
Mark McEwan retired from the PSNI last year, having previously held the role of Assistant Chief Constable. His previous experience also includes 26 years' policing with the Metropolitan Police in London.
In the Assembly debate that proceeded Mr McEwan's approval for the role, UUP MLA Andy Allen said the former PSNI officer had “extensive experience”.
“Mr McEwan not only has extensive experience of conducting investigations, including of sensitive and high-profile cases, but was involved in overseeing processes to uphold professional standards and deal with misconduct,” he said.
“The Assembly Commission therefore believes that Mark McEwan has the appropriate skills and experience to undertake the responsibilities of commissioner effectively.”
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said the development made the whole process look like “a shambles”.
“Now, just a week after the Assembly Commission — on which all executive parties plus the SDLP sit — brought this matter forward, we find that Mr McEwan has resigned to take up the post of Deputy Chief Constable of the Surrey Constabulary,” he said.
“The Commissioner for Standards should play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and accountability of the Assembly. Before Mr McEwan could even get his feet under the desk, the process now looks like a shambles.
“I am left asking: why didn't the Assembly Commission establish that Mr McEwan was fully committed to this vital role before bringing the matter before the Assembly?”
Only 8.6% of complaints deemed admissible in past five years
Mr McEwan was set to take over the role from previous incumbent Dr Melissa McCullough, who served a five-year term.
In the five years up to April 2025, Dr McCullough received 663 complaints, of which just 57 (8.6%) were deemed admissible.
Some 368 complaints related specifically to complaints against MLAs, with 46 (12.5%) found to be admissible.
In her final report, the former Commissioner said she had crammed eight years' worth of complaints into her five-year term.
“The Office has made substantial progress: A GDPR-compliant case management system is now in place; a standalone website has been launched, helping demystify the standards process and increase public understanding and engagement; and a full suite of data protection policies and procedures has been developed in line with legal obligations,” she said.
“These reforms have strengthened the foundations of the commissioner's office and improved its capacity to serve both the public and members.”
Convictions against three men over planned bomb attack on RUC football team ruled 'unsafe'
By Alan Erwin, News Letter, September 17th, 2025
Historic convictions against three men for having explosives linked to a planned attack on a Royal Ulster Constabulary soccer team are unsafe, the Court of Appeal ruled today.
Senior judges identified “reprehensible” and deliberate police misconduct which was never revealed at the original trial of Declan John Murphy, Conor Gilmore and Declan John Moen.
The decision, by a two to one majority, was based on an examination of a confidential annex of material.
In 1991 all three men were found guilty at a non-jury trial of possessing explosive substances with intent.
The charges related to a bomb planted at Limavady United FC’s ground ahead of a home match against the RUC in December 1989.
The deadly device, made up of Semtex and ball bearings to act as shrapnel, had been placed in the away dugout.
It was to be detonated by radio remote control when the police officers in the RUC team were at that part of the stadium, previous courts heard.
The terrorist plot was thwarted because fixture rearrangements meant the match did not go ahead on that date.
Mr Murphy, Mr Gilmore and Mr Moen had already mounted a previous failed legal bid to clear their names.
But in 2022 a body which examines potential miscarriages of justice referred their cases back to the Court of Appeal.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) cited sensitive reasons for the decision.
It centred on the emergence of potential fresh evidence which was not disclosed at the original trial.
Most of the hearing took place in private due to the sensitivity of the material.
Special advocates appointed to protect the interests of the three appellants argued that if disclosure had been made at trial it would have revealed serious misconduct by the police.
Despite conceding the misconduct was indefensible, prosecutors insisted the convictions remained safe because it had no impact on the fairness of the criminal proceedings.
But two members of the appeal panel, Lord Justice Treacy and Mr Justice Colton, ruled: “The abuse of process issues that arise are of such a level of deliberate police misconduct to offend the court’s sense of justice and propriety and undermine public confidence in the justice system.”
In a brief, three-page judgment, they held that the three men’s appeals must be allowed.
Dissenting from their assessment, Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan found on balance that the trial was fair and that the convictions remained safe.
“While the conduct of the police is reprehensible, this is outweighed by the competing public interest in the prosecution of serious terrorist offences,” she stated.
However, Dame Siobhan confirmed: “Therefore, by a majority, the decision of this court is that the convictions are not safe on the abuse of process ground referred by the CCRC and argued by the Special Advocates.”
