But Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan, who heard the appeals with Lord Justices Higgins and Girvan, backed the trial judge's handling of the issues.

BBC: Thomas Devlin murder convictions appeal fails

Sir Declan, who heard the case with Lord Justices Higgins and Girvan, stressed the impact of the knife attack on Thomas's parents and the boys who survived it.

BBC: Thomas Devlin murderer gets reduced tariff

Sir Declan, sitting with Lord Justices Higgins and Girvan, held that the test applied by the trial judge required no knowledge of the attack until a rendezvous with the gunmen.

BBC: Northern Ireland