Bloody Sunday victim's brother criticises 'death threat' sentence

The brother of one of the people killed on Bloody Sunday has criticised the sentence handed to a man who made threats against his family on social media.

Dean Portis, 42, from Olive Street, Belfast, sent social media posts to three brothers of William McKinney in September and October last year during the Soldier F trial.

On Wednesday, Portis was jailed for three months after earlier this year being convicted of two counts of improper use of a public communications network to send a message of a menacing character.

That jail sentence, William McKinney's brother Mickey said, does not reflect the severity of the "death threat" made against him and his brothers.

"This guy wasn't dealt the hand he should have been dealt," McKinney told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

"He threatened to kill, he should have got a more severe sentence," he said, adding he felt the case against Portis had been "played down".

"This guy made a threat to kill us and he was sentenced on being found guilty of the misuse of social media," McKinney said.

The Lady Chief Justice's office said the principle of judicial independence meant it could not comment on individual cases.

"Sentencing is a matter for the independent judge, based on the specific facts, the law and all relevant factors presented to the court," a spokesperson said.

"Judges approach sentencing with the utmost seriousness and care.

"Sentencing is a structured and carefully considered process, reflecting both the law and the individual circumstances of the case."

The Public Prosecution Service has also been approached for comment.

McKinney's brother William was among 13 people shot dead by the Parachute Regiment at a civil rights demonstration in Londonderry on 30 January 1972.

In October 2025, the former paratrooper known as Soldier F was found not guilty of the murder of William McKinney, 26, and James Wray, 22, as well as five charges of attempted murder.

William McKinney said the brothers had received the social media messages during the early days of Soldier F's trial.

Under a newspaper report of Mickey McKinney, and his brothers Joe and John attending court, the post said: "If yous (sic) continue to target the British Armed Forces including the PSNI the consequences will be swift and deadly.

It added: "Yous (sic) have been warned."

Mickey McKinney said the brothers had " a few anxious nights" following the messages.

"Because we were in court the next morning and I'm not sure now about Joe and John, but I know I started retracing my steps on the way to the court and wondering," McKinney said.

Portis, he said, had since apologised to the McKinney family but added it was difficult to accept.

In court on Wednesday a suspended three month jail term Portis had previously received for a separate offence was also activated.

He was also banned from intimidating or harassing the McKinney family as part of a two year restraining order.