McGrath is arrested at 9am and gives his account of what happened. Later in the day, he is informed that Walton has died. Although the cause of death is found to have been strangulation, McGrath is not told this.

January 2001 McGrath's barrister warns him that if found guilty after pleading not guilty, he could face up to 30 years in jail without parole. McGrath decides to change his plea, although he is still under the impression that he is on trial for manslaughter.

McGrath says he only finds out in court that Walton died of strangulation. Until then, he had assumed he died when hit with the brick. He is sentenced to life, with the recommendation that he serve at least 14 years before becoming eligible for parole.

Summer 2001 'Justice For Christy' campaign set up by Londonbased businessman Andy Parr. The case is brought to human rights lawyer Gareth Peirce, who later agrees to take it on.

2002-present Campaign gathers momentum. Petition in support of McGrath signed by 132 members of the Oireachtas and 54 Westminster MPs. Grounds for appeal still lacking, however, as new evidence has not yet come to light.

January 2007 McGrath is transferred from Gartree Prison in Leicestershire to Mountjoy Prison in Dublin.