The Court of Appeal has quashed the murder conviction of Sean Rodgers for the 2018 killing of Edward Meenan in Londonderry. Rodgers, aged 38, received a minimum 18-year sentence in 2022 after a jury found him guilty.

Senior judges ruled the verdict unsafe due to procedural errors. Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan ordered a retrial. Rodgers remains in custody and may apply for bail later.

Edward Meenan, 52 and father of nine, died from stab wounds and blunt force trauma outside a house in the Creggan Street area in November 2018. He suffered more than 50 stab wounds, many inflicted after death or near death. His body was stripped to boxer shorts and left in an alleyway.

Meenan arrived at the house with friend William McConnell, both wearing balaclavas. Three men from the house confronted them, leading to a fight. McConnell escaped, but Meenan was assaulted.

Rodgers and co-defendants Derek Creswell, 34, and Ryan Walters, 27, admitted presence at the scene. Creswell pleaded guilty to murder and received a minimum 15-year term. Walters was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to eight years.

Rodgers claimed self-defence, fearing the masked arrivals were from the IRA. He denied using weapons or stabbing Meenan, stating he used only feet and fists. His appeal cited issues with trial handling of loss of control, self-defence proportionality, and lack of legal representation after his IQ of 63 was noted.

Rodgers solicitor Ciaran O'Hare stated the court identified significant procedural flaws that affected trial fairness.