Advisory notice issued by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland regarding press coverage of the arrest of Matt Johnston

Publication date:

The attention of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland has been drawn to an article concerning the arrest of Matt Johnston in connection with a shooting incident at Crumlin Road, Belfast on Sunday 22 January 2017 in which a policeman was injured.

Any members of the press seeking to report on this matter should be aware that these proceedings are active within the meaning of the Contempt of Court Act 1981. The press should also be aware that it is not clear at this stage that any of the conditions for the issuing of a certificate for non-jury trial under the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 trial would be met in relation to any prosecution arising out of this incident.