THE family of a North-East murder victim are outraged that his killer could be standing for parliament in his native Ireland.

Supporters of jockey Christy McGrath, who believe he was a victim of a miscarriage of justice, say he could be put forward as a surprise candidate in the Irish Republic's general election due later this year.

He is serving a life sentence in Stockton's Home House Prison for murdering former Newcastle United hopeful Gary Walton in Coundon, County Durham, in July 2000.

Andrew Parr, a leading campaigner for McGrath's release, said he could stand "in absentia" for his home town, Carrick-on-Suir, in County Tipperary, where there is already a poster campaign proclaiming his innocence.

Gary Walton's sister, Sharon Caton, said she and her parents, Jennie and Dickie Walton, were horrified at the news.

She said: "Why can't they let us alone so that we can grieve? We can't come to terms with Gary's death and this is making it harder and harder for us."

McGrath's brother, Larry, claimed last night the move had backing from within the Irish government.

And he likened his brother's case to that of Irish Republican Bobby Sands, who attracted worldwide publicity when he was elected to the British parliament in 1981 while on hunger strike in Belfast's Maze Prison.

Larry McGrath said: "I understand how Gary Walton's family feel and they have my sympathy. We aren't doing this to upset them, but we won't let it lie."

McGrath's trial at Teesside Crown Court heard he had taken a cocktail of ecstasy and alcohol when he used a brick to beat Mr Walton's face to a pulp during a fight.

The jockey, who was based at millionaire Grand National winner Norman Mason's Brancepeth stables, later claimed he had changed his plea to guilty on the eve of the trial after being advised by lawyers it would reduce his sentence.