‘The court got it wrong. Everyone got it wrong. Don’t you understand?’ he pleads. ‘I was inside for seventeen years. I have lost what should’ve been the best years of my life to these lies. All the years I could’ve been someone.

‘Maybe I’d have met someone. Got married. Given my mammy grandchildren. Who knows? Don’t you think I wanted that, too? A normal life. Didn’t I deserve that? But now … now there’s another angry mob baying for my blood. What if they find me, Ingrid? What if they track me down?’

The panic has returned to his voice.

‘I know it’s scary,’ I tell him. ‘But there’s no reason why they would find you now if they haven’t found you before. You’re far enough from Derry, but could you speak to someone if you feel unsafe? Do you have a probation officer, or social worker? Someone like that. They would be able to give you better guidance than I can.

‘There was always going to be some backlash and when your appeal is formally launched, it might get worse. Try to remember, this world is a strange one now. There are a lot of keyboard warriors on Facebook. All bluff and no substance.’

‘You don’t know that!’

His voice is borderline hysterical now. I can hear him moving about as if he’s pacing up and down the room. ‘And I know what they’ll do. They’ll have me lynched. I know it. I know it.’

‘Try to stay calm,’ I tell him, aware my words are completely inadequate.

‘That’s easy for you to say!’ he yells, and I’m sure he’s crying.

I feel wretched. And worried for him. But I remind myself this is not my fault. I only reported on a family’s grief. I did my job. And I will give him his voice, even though I’ve been warned off doing so.

He ends the call before I have the chance to speak again, leaving me staring at the phone, unsure if I’ve been cut off or have lost signal. I feel a headache start.

Sighing, I glance at my watch and realise I’d better get a move on to be in town in time to meet with Niall. Wryly, I wonder how long it will take before I have him baying for my blood, too.

Niall, unsurprisingly, looks like his profile picture. Groomed. Tanned. Wearing a suit that accentuates a physique no doubt earned from hours in the gym. He is the polar opposite to his twin brother. There are no heavy lines scoring across his face. His eyes are bright. His skin has a healthy glow.