‘Lone wolf ’ dissident in bid to overturn her murder bid conviction

A SO-called lone wolf dissident republican’s legal bid to overturn her conviction for trying to murder police officers will be heard in February, senior judges directed.

Christine Connor has now been given a week to confirm if she will waive her right to privilege so her former legal team can respond to claims she only pleaded guilty on advice.

The 31-year-old is appealing her conviction for a terrorist plot said to have involved posing online as a Swedish model to lure men into supporting her attempt to kill.

Connor, from north Belfast, is also challenging the 16-year jail sentence handed down in June.

She intends to argue the guilty verdict should be quashed beConor cause her plea should never have been accepted.

According to her new legal representatives, she repeatedly said at her trial: “I am not guilty, but on advice I will plead guilty.”

It emerged yesterday that she may be called to give evidence when her challenge begins. Under the rules of legal professional privilege, any discussions between a defendant and their lawyers must remain confidential.

But Court of Appeal judges pressed for Connor to state if she is prepared to waive that right due to the nature of her allegations. Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan said: “We need clarity on this by close of business next Friday.”

Any refusal could result in an adverse inference being drawn, the court heard.

Connor’s current barrister O’Kane said she had “no issue with her previous lawyers answering criticisms”.

Ciaran Murphy QC, prosecuting, outlined the difficulties created by the current uncertainty.

“At present we are totally hamstrung in terms of dealing with the allegations made against her previous team without access to their response,” he said.

Listing the appeal for February, Sir Declan also ordered a further review hearing to consider any rebuttal evidence from the relevant lawyers.

Described as a staunch republican who claimed to be “at war” with the PSNI, Connor had pleaded guilty to a number of terrorist offences.

As well as seeking to overturn her conviction for attempted murder, her legal team will argue that the prison terms handed down were manifestly excessive.