The Winchester Three were three young Irish citizens (Martina Shanahan, Finbar Cullen and John McCann) who were found guilty in 1988 of a plot to murder British politician Tom King, who was the Northern Ireland Secretary at the time, and sentenced to 25 years in prison.[1][2] Their convictions were later quashed by the Court of Appeal, after having served two-and-a-half years.[2][3] The decision was criticised by Lord Denning.[4]