TWO former paratroopers accused of the 1972 murder of Official IRA man Joe McCann will find out next week if their identities are to remain secret during their trial.
Lawyers for Soldiers A and C - now aged in their seventies - applied yesterday for an anonymity order to prevent them being named, arguing that their lives could be placed in real and imminent danger.
Mr Justice O'Hara said he would give his ruling prior to the start of the expected four-week trial at Belfast Crown Court.
Mr McCann, a father-of-four, was shot dead in disputed circumstances in Joy Street, close to his Markets home in south Belfast, on April 15 1972.
The 'Diplock' non-jury trial of the former soldiers, whose addresses have been given on court papers as Salisbury House in London, has been brought forward to prevent it from running into the summer recess.
A reporting restriction banning publication of the defendants' names has been in place since they were first charged with Mr McCann's murder three years ago.