Sean Rodgers, aged 38, appealed his murder conviction at the Court of Appeal on Thursday. He received an 18-year minimum term for the November 2018 killing of Edward Meenan, 52, in Derry's Creggan Street area.

Counsel Martin O’Rourke KC argued jurors received improper directions on self-defence. Rodgers claims he acted in self-defence fearing the masked men were from the IRA. He states he used only feet and fists, denying any weapons or stabbing.

Meenan arrived at a house with friend William McConnell, both wearing balaclavas. Three men from the house confronted them. McConnell fled while Meenan suffered over 50 stab wounds and beating with a suspected baseball bat.

Many stab wounds occurred after Meenan was dead or near death. His body was stripped to boxer shorts and left in an alleyway.

Rodgers has an IQ in the low 60s. He dismissed his prior legal team, leaving him without representation at one stage. O’Rourke said this created procedural errors making the trial unfair.

Co-defendants Derek Creswell, 34, pleaded guilty to murder in 2022 and got a 15-year minimum term. Ryan Walters, 27, received eight years for manslaughter.

Prosecutor Liam McCollum KC said no facts support reasonable force given the injuries. The appeal continues.