Christmas cards will back the Free Killie 2

Dec 13 2007

CAMPAIGNERS for the release of the two men convicted of the murder of Galston pensioner Margaret Irvine are ending the year with a Christmas card initiative.

The Free Killie 2 group have sent cards to pubs and businesses in the Irvine Valley town in a bid to uncover evidence which could aid their case.

Patrick Docherty, 43, of Dalmellington, and Brendan Dixon, 38, of Kilmarnock, were jailed for a minimum of 25 years in March 2005 after a jury at the High Court in Kilmarnock found them guilty of killing the 91-year-old widow in her home in Barward Road. A murder charge against a third man — Colin Miller, 34, from Galston — was found not proven.

The festive stunt is the latest move by the campaigners to encourage new witnesses to come forward in support of their claim that the two were wrongly convicted of the killing.

Kevin Donald, brother-in-law of Dixon, said: “We have sent out around 70 Christmas cards. We hope that they will attract some kind of reaction.”

The group claim that the case against Docherty and Dixon was “based on hearsay and circumstantial evidence.”

The two were found guilty after a five-week trial in which much of the prosecution evidence consisted of admissions they were alleged to have made to third parties following the killing of Mrs Irvine in September 2003.

Despite a painstaking police search of the house, no forensic evidence was found that could be linked to any of the accused.

Those fighting for their release claim that a number of key witnesses in the case had themselves been questioned about the murder and that several had been proven to have lied while giving evidence in court.

However, their campaign has failed to convince Mrs Irvine’s nephew, Charles Keers, who also gave evidence during the trial.

Mr Keers has stated that he is convinced about the guilt of Docherty and Dixon.

“I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever,” he said. “I am 100 per cent certain.”

Mrs Irvine was found dead in her bedroom by her carer at 4.50pm on September 28, following what is thought to have been a botched robbery attempt.

She had been gagged and had her hands tied behind her with a belt.

The cause of death was found to be asphyxia, caused by a duster which had been placed in her mouth.

During the trial, a number of witnesses gave evidence about conversations with Dixon and Docherty, during which they had admitted taking part on a raid on the Galston house.

Neither was said to have confessed to the murder, but each was alleged to have blamed the other.

Kevin Donald said this week that he remained convinced that the two men would eventually be cleared.

“They will be released,” he said.