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The Following article appeared in 'The Irish Post' on Wednesday 2nd August

THE IRISH family battling for the man convicted of the murder of BBC journalist Jill Dando has been thrown a lifeline. New evidence is set to emerge on Dando’s murder and will be aired in a major new BBC documentary. It is the latest breakthrough for the family of second-generation Irishman George — who five years ago was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Dando but who has always proclaimed his innocence.

The TV presenter was shot once in the head at point-blank range outside her West London home. But since the conviction George’s Irish family has fought tirelessly to prove his innocence. His case is also supported by the Miscarriages of Justice Organisation MOJO and several British newspapers questioned the validity of his conviction — pointing out that the murder weapon was never recovered, there were no witnesses to the crime, and no motive was ever established.

A best-selling book entitled The Case of Barry George has also cast doubt on the conviction. Further worries are set to be raised in the new BBC documentary to be shown next month. It will focus on the findings of the Criminal Cases Review Commission which is investigating fresh evidence presented by lawyers for George

In March his solicitors said new evidence suggested George’s mental problems would have made him incapable of carrying out the crime. They also said that new witnesses not heard at the time of the original trial might provide an explanation for why a particle of gunshot residue was found inside the pocket of his jacket. They say they have also uncovered a psychological profile used by police during the hunt for the killer which suggested that someone of a very different character was responsible.

George’s family — who hail from Limerick — recently turned down two requests on his behalf to take a lie detector test. It was felt the test could either put paid to his claim of innocence or help support his moves to have his conviction quashed. But his Irish sister — who recently launched an appeal for witnesses to help her brother — said although the family had investigated the possibility of him taking a test they had been advised against it by doctors. Michelle Diskin said: “We have thought about it and taken medical advice but have been told a lie test wouldn’t work properly because of the condition he is in. “He has suffered brain damage as a result of his years of having epilepsy and that was the main reason why he didn’t take the stand in his own defence at his trial. “It’s not so much that a lie test wouldn’t work but it’s more that it would have a better chance of not working properly because of his condition.”

For more information about the campaign to prove George’s innocence visit www.barrygeorge.com