Vulnerable man said he bombed factory ‘to get police off his back’
A MENTALLY vulnerable man jailed for a bomb attack in Belfast 40 years ago made admissions to get police off his back, the Court of Appeal has heard.
Lawyers for James Goodall claimed he was subjected to oppressive interrogation and was incapable of having drafted his alleged confession.
The 63-year-old was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for causing an explosion at the Academy Shirt Factory on Exchange Street in March 1977.
He is now attempting to have his conviction quashed after the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) referred his case back to senior judges in Belfast.
Mr Goodall, from the New Lodge in Belfast, was arrested in Scotland days after the attack.
Although aged 24 at the time of his trial, educational reports indicated his attainment levels and IQ were well below average.
According to his legal team, the only evidence establishing guilt were admissions allegedly made during police interviews.
Mr Goodall pleaded not guilty and claimed he was elsewhere at the time of the bombing.
Despite disputing that he signed the statement produced by police, he was found guilty.
Following an initial failed appeal, the CCRC, which examines potential miscarriages of justice, carried out a review of the case.
It decided there was a real possibility Mr Goodall’s conviction could be quashed.
He now accepts his signature is on the confession, but rejects its reliability.
Speaking at the appeal hearing, he said: “I told them (police) a load of nonsense. I just wanted to get out of there, to be honest.”
Prosecution representatives claimed Mr Goodall had deliberately and strategically lied in an attempt to deceive the court.
But barrister Karen Quinlivan QC contended: “He doesn’t have the capacity to engage in that conniving behaviour.”
The appeal continues.