An Irish uncle of Barry George, the convicted murderer of BBC presenter Jill Dando, protested his nephew's innocence shortly before the jury handed down the verdict yesterday. Mr Tony Bourke, from the Co Limerick village of Ballyneety, said he had been following news of the trial on Sky TV. His sister, Ms Margaret George, is the mother of Barry George and comes originally from Ballyneety.
Mr Bourke, speaking outside his bungalow home yesterday, said he was sure his nephew was innocent. He had known him as a teenager in London when he visited his elder sister's house.
At the time, Mr Bourke was working in factories there. He remembered George being interested in books and pop music.
"As far as I was concerned, he was the same as any teenager. I said all along and I still say it, he is innocent. He could not have done it, no way.
"If he is found guilty, there is no way I will believe it. I will still say he is innocent."
Now semi-retired, Mr Bourke said he had returned from London in 1974 after spending 17 years there.
A bachelor, he shares his home with his brother, Michael, who was in London with other family members during the trial.