LONDONDERRY, Northern Ireland — A recent social media post by loyalist activist Jamie Bryson is under scrutiny during the trial of a former British soldier charged with murder in relation to the Bloody Sunday incident. Judge Patrick Lynch raised concerns about Bryson’s comments, made on the platform X, during proceedings at the Belfast Crown Court.
The judge expressed his apprehensions regarding the potential implications of the post under the Contempt of Court Act. “It is fortunate for Mr. Bryson that this is a case without a jury,” Judge Lynch remarked, noting that had a jury been present, the publication could have led to a request to halt the trial and restart it later.
The defendant, known as Soldier F, is accused of killing James Wray, 22, and William McKinney, 26, during a civil rights demonstration in the Bogside area of Londonderry in January 1972. He faces multiple charges, including five counts of attempted murder. The trial, taking place without a jury, has now entered its third day.
The judge indicated that, in this non-jury format, Bryson’s views carry no weight in the proceedings. He also mentioned that any actions taken by the Attorney General regarding the post would be determined by her office.
Soldier F, who was a lance corporal during the events of Bloody Sunday, follows the trial from a designated area in the courtroom, shielded from public view. Legal discussions are currently underway to assess the applicability of military witness statements from the original Bloody Sunday incident as evidence in the trial.
The decision to prosecute Soldier F was taken by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in 2019, as part of an investigation that followed Lord Saville’s public inquiry into Bloody Sunday. This inquiry brought to light the events surrounding the tragic day when 13 individuals lost their lives.
Of the 18 former soldiers reviewed by the PPS, Soldier F remains the only one charged with offenses related to the incident. Initially, in 2021, the case against him was dropped after the trial of two other veterans collapsed. However, following a successful legal challenge, the prosecution resumed in 2022, reigniting interest in these historic events.
The ongoing trial has revived memories and emotions surrounding Bloody Sunday, a significant episode in Northern Ireland’s troubled history. As proceedings continue, the focus remains on delivering justice for the victims and their families.
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