Bloody Sunday trial judge raises concern over Jamie Bryson post

Jamie Bryson's comments were made in a post on the social media platform X

A social media post by loyalist activist Jamie Bryson has been highlighted at the trial of a former British soldier accused of murdering two people in Londonderry on Bloody Sunday.

Judge Patrick Lynch raised comments made by Mr Bryson in a post on the social media platform X.

The judge told Belfast Crown Court it caused him "concerns" under the Contempt of Court Act.

"It is fortunate for Mr Bryson that this is a case without a jury," the judge said.

Soldier F is accused of murdering James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) on Bloody Sunday

Soldier F, whose anonymity is protected by a court order, denies murdering James Wray, 22, and William McKinney, 26, as well as five counts of attempted murder.

They were among 13 people who were shot dead by the Parachute Regiment at a civil rights demonstration in the Bogside area of Londonderry in January 1972.

The third day of the former soldier's non-jury trial is taking place at Belfast Crown Court.

Referring to Mr Bryson's post, the judge said: " Had there been a jury, such a publication may have given rise to an application to abort the trial and restart at a later stage".

But because it is a non-jury trial, he added "the views of Mr Bryson are a matter of total indifference".

The judge added whether the Attorney General takes any action "will be a matter for her".

Soldier F, who was a lance corporal on Bloody Sunday, is watching proceedings from behind a curtain in the corner of the courtroom.

The trial has been hearing legal arguments on whether military witness statements provided at the time of Bloody Sunday can be used as evidence.

A barrister representing Soldier F argued there was a "cloud of uncertainty" regarding statements given by two paratroopers, named Soldier G and Soldier H, who were with Soldier F on Bloody Sunday.

The defence team told the court they want to settle the agreed facts outlined on Thursday relating to Soldier H and will then make further submissions relating to the admissibility of Soldier G evidence on Friday morning.

Defence barrister Mark Mulholland said he believes that the remaining submissions relating to Soldier G's evidence will conclude before lunchtime on Friday "at the latest". He added that they will take less time than those concerning Soldier H.

Judge Lynch said he was content with this, provided it remained in line with the timetable, and again noted that he hopes to deliver his ruling on the hearsay applications on Wednesday.

The court will sit again at the later time of 10:15 BST on Friday morning, instead of 10:00, to allow more time for people travelling to make that start time.

Thirteen people were shot dead by the Army on Bloody Sunday

The decision to charge Soldier F was taken by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in 2019.

He was one of 18 former soldiers reported to the PPS as a result of a police investigation, which followed the public inquiry into Bloody Sunday conducted by Lord Saville.

But he was the only one charged.

Two years later, the PPS dropped the case after the collapse of the trial of two other veterans who had been accused of a 1972 murder in Belfast.

But the prosecution resumed in 2022 after a legal challenge.

Who is Soldier F?

• A former British soldier who served with the Army's Parachute Regiment in Northern Ireland during the Troubles

• He cannot be named due to an interim court order granting his anonymity

• Soldier F is being prosecuted for the murders of William McKinney and James Wray on Bloody Sunday

• He also faces charges of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn and an unknown person on the same date