Police in Northern Ireland are investigating after a court appearance by two men accused of the murder of Karen Cummings was recorded and shared online.
Thirty-two-year-old Glenn King and 42-year-old Kevin McGuigan appeared at Newry Magistrates Court by video link on Wednesday charged with killing the 40-year-old children's nurse in her home in Banbridge in Co Down last Saturday.
Footage of their appearance and screengrab photos of the two accused as they sat in the custody suite in Musgrave police station in Belfast city centre have been circulated online.
That prompted a warning from Northern Ireland's Attorney General Brenda King who pointed out that the recording of court proceedings is contempt of court and could result in a fine or imprisonment.
The court hearing was recorded via a system introduced during Covid lockdowns to enable lawyers, journalists and other interested parties to view court hearings live without having to be physically in court.
The system, Sightlink, is widely used and has proven popular with members of the legal profession and media.
In some legally sensitive cases, like the ongoing trial of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Eleanor, access is restricted to registered journalists and lawyers.
But in most cases interested members of the public, including relatives or friends of the victims of crimes or the defendants, can also log on and watch remotely.
During Wednesday’s hearing it is understood that around 20 people were watching on Sightlink.
The majority were journalists or lawyers, but a number did not identify themselves.
PSNI detectives are now trying to establish the identities of those unknown observers in a bid to reestablish who shared the images.
"The PSNI is aware of a recording of a court hearing being shared on social media," the police said in a statement.
"Police are carrying out enquiries, and would remind the public that the publication of any information which could potentially create a substantial risk of seriously impeding or prejudicing court proceedings may be contempt of court."
The Attorney General has also raised concerns about comments about the case on social media after several people, including politicians, posted on X.
"The recent murder of Karen Cummings in Banbridge has understandably attracted much commentary," the Attorney General said.
"The tragedy and emotive nature of such cases cannot be underestimated.
"However, a member of the public may well be in contempt of court as a result of publication or commentary on social media in relation to active criminal proceedings.
"As two persons have been arrested and charged in respect of this matter, these proceedings are active for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981."
She went on to warn that social media posts could potentially impact jurors who have to determine whether someone is guilty of an offence or not based on the evidence put before them in court alone.
"A person can be found in contempt of court if something they publish creates a substantial risk that justice in the criminal proceedings would be seriously impeded or prejudiced, regardless of their intent to do so," she added.
Ms King pointed out that publication of any court recordings also constitutes contempt, including posting or sharing posts on social media on platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X or Instagram.
A sentence of up to two years’ imprisonment can be imposed on anyone found to be guilty.
Karen Cummings died shortly after being found unconscious at her Laurel Heights home in Banbridge on Saturday evening.
She had suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
Forty-two-year-old Kevin McGuigan from Annacloy Park in Hillsborough, and 32-year-old Glenn King, of no fixed address in Lurgan, were remanded in custody to appear in court again by video link on 9 January.
