An Australian court has rejected an appeal by a convicted arsonist sentenced to life in prison for killing 15 people in eastern Australia.
Robert Long (39) was found guilty last March of murder and arson after a blaze that engulfed a hostel in Childers, a small farming community in Queensland, in June 2000.
Long's lawyer had argued before the Queensland's Court of Appeal that his client had felt threatened when he confessed to police after being captured. Long, who was shot while resisting arrest, apparently confessed because he thought he was fatally wounded, detectives said during his trial.
Long was appealing against his conviction and his sentence. The court also dismissed a counter appeal by Queensland state government attorney-general Rod Welford, who sought to increase Long's sentence - he is eligible for parole after 20 years.
Among the 15 killed in the fire was an Irish student, Julie O'Keeffe (24), from Bray, Co Wicklow.