The Northern Ireland Prison Service has been challenged over its decision to refuse to let a man convicted of the murder of PSNI officer Stephen Carroll receive a booklet from the campaign to free him.

Belfast solicitor Darragh Mackin of KRW Law wrote to prison authorities after they prevented Brendan McConville receiving a copy of a booklet by the Justice for the Craigavon Two campaign.

The campaign group has called for the release of Mr McConville and John Paul Wootton, who were both convicted of the 2009 murder.

Mr Mackin told The Irish News: “It appears this booklet has been refused solely on the basis that it relates to an ongoing public campaign entitled ‘Justice for the Craigavon Two’.

“It may be that the prison does not agree with the basis behind the campaign to which the materials relate, nevertheless, the prison has no lawful basis in which to continue to confiscate and remove our client’s property.”

In his letter, Mr Mackin referred to prison authorities previously refusing to allow photographs relating to the campaign into the jail.

He wrote: “This was met with pre-action correspondence, which ultimately resulted in the return of the property.

“That in itself is indicative that the basis to which you propose to remove this property is entirely without foundation.”