ieExplains: Can your social media posts affect the outcome of a criminal trial?

Sending or even re-sharing social media posts commenting on court cases could be deemed to be prejudicial, and could result in fines or jail for the people sharing the comments. File picture: Thinkstock/PA

In the wake of a killing, it is not uncommon for Government officials or gardaí to appeal to the public to think before posting anything related to an ongoing legal matter on social media.

There is very good reason for this, as there can be very serious implications arising from people sharing comments and information on the internet.