Ex nun's rape conviction was miscarriage of justice, rules court
A former nun who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of a young girl was today declared the victim of a miscarriage of justice.
Nora Wall, 57, was convicted in 1999 along with a homeless man of the attack on the girl at St Michael’s Childcare Centre in Cappoquin, Co Waterford on an unknown date in 1987 or 1988.
But the conviction was quashed days after the verdict after it emerged that a witness at the trial had been called contrary to the Director of Public Prosecution’s direction.
At the Court of Criminal Appeal today Justice Nicholas Kearns, presiding, said Ms Wall should not have to wait a minute longer for the verdict.
“The court is quite satisfied there are newly discovered facts which show there has been a miscarriage of justice in this case,” he said.
He said the court would deliver its full written judgment at a later date.
Ms Wall was congratulated by members of her family and other supporters.
She stood up and went over to Patricia Phelan, the woman who had given false evidence against her in the trial, and embraced her.
Both women burst into tears.
