Eamonn McCann said,
“One of the oldest legal principles of all is that justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.
But once again, this principle is being set aside when it comes to Bloody Sunday.
At the start of the Preliminary Inquiry into the case against Soldier F, District Judge Ted Magill ruled that nothing in the prosecution or defence opening statements could be reported. Neither could any of the testimony be given by witnesses. In other words, the Inquiry is to be held in secret. This is an insult to the dead and to the people of Derry.
Explaining the secrecy by reference to covid regulations won’t wash. There’s enough space in the court building in Derry to accommodate representatives of the families safely either in person or by an electronic link to other parts of the building. Such “overflow” arrangements for the press and public are commonplace in courts. The conclusion must be that the authorities are still frightened of the truth about Bloody Sunday.
Equally serious questions arise from the media gag on the proceedings. This negates any notion of press freedom. Why should journalists be stopped from doing their job and keeping the public informed of what is being done in their name? Where do the authorities get the right to act in this arrogant way?”
