THE identities of two former paratroopers accused of the 1972 murder of Official IRA man Joe McCann are to remain secret during their upcoming trial.
Trial judge Mr Justice O'Hara ruled today that if the soldiers' anonymity were removed at this stage it would be impossible to restore, if needs be, that anonymity again in the future.
However, the two soldiers known only as A and C, will not be screened during their four-week Diplock-style non jury trial and will be seen by those attending Belfast Crown Court.
Announcing his ruling Mr Justice O'Hara warned it would be a contempt of court for anyone attempting to take pictures of the two former soldiers. Warning signs to this effect are to be posted both inside and outside the court.
The judge said the taking of pictures would also extend to any artist's drawings or sketches of Soldiers A and C who are now both aged in their 70s.
The ruling follows arguments by defence counsel that if identified during their trial it could place the lives of the former paratroopers in real danger from attack.
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 trial of Soldiers A and C, whose addresses have been given on court papers as Salisbury House in London, has been brought forward to prevent it from running over into the summer recess.
A reporting restriction banning publication of the defendants' names has been in place since the two ex-paratroopers were first charged with Mr McCann's murder three years ago.
