This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67210586
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Gary Haggarty: 'Disbelief' at masked men inside Belfast courtroom | Gary Haggarty: 'Disbelief' at masked men inside Belfast courtroom |
(6 months later) | |
The masked men pictured outside Laganside courts - they later sat inside a murder trial | The masked men pictured outside Laganside courts - they later sat inside a murder trial |
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has expressed disbelief that masked men appeared in the public gallery of a Belfast court during a murder trial. | Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has expressed disbelief that masked men appeared in the public gallery of a Belfast court during a murder trial. |
Masked men appeared during a trial over the killing of Eamon Fox and Gary Convie in 1994 on Monday. | Masked men appeared during a trial over the killing of Eamon Fox and Gary Convie in 1994 on Monday. |
Northern Ireland's most senior judge has ordered a review of the incident. | Northern Ireland's most senior judge has ordered a review of the incident. |
Mr Heaton-Harris told the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee: "I simply can't believe that happened." | Mr Heaton-Harris told the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee: "I simply can't believe that happened." |
He added: "The Lady Chief Justice (Dame Siobhan Keegan) has also put on the record her shock over this." | He added: "The Lady Chief Justice (Dame Siobhan Keegan) has also put on the record her shock over this." |
'Completely unacceptable' | 'Completely unacceptable' |
The incident happened on Monday at the trial of James Stewart Smyth, 57, who is accused of the double killing. | The incident happened on Monday at the trial of James Stewart Smyth, 57, who is accused of the double killing. |
There has been a heavy police presence at Laganside courts during evidence from former Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) commander Gary Haggarty. | There has been a heavy police presence at Laganside courts during evidence from former Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) commander Gary Haggarty. |
A small number of individuals sat at the back of the courtroom with their faces covered for a time. | A small number of individuals sat at the back of the courtroom with their faces covered for a time. |
It was not immediately drawn to the judge's attention. | It was not immediately drawn to the judge's attention. |
When it was, he warned anyone concealing their face would be removed from court. | When it was, he warned anyone concealing their face would be removed from court. |
Former Northern Ireland justice minister Claire Sugden said on Thursday that the appearance of the masked men was "completely unacceptable". | Former Northern Ireland justice minister Claire Sugden said on Thursday that the appearance of the masked men was "completely unacceptable". |
She told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme that she welcomed the new review of the incident, adding: "It should not have been allowed to happen and definitely there needs to be something to ensure it doesn't happen again." | She told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme that she welcomed the new review of the incident, adding: "It should not have been allowed to happen and definitely there needs to be something to ensure it doesn't happen again." |
The Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan, later said she had "dealt with the matter appropriately". | The Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan, later said she had "dealt with the matter appropriately". |
Lady Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan said the appearance of masked men inside the court was unnacceptable | Lady Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan said the appearance of masked men inside the court was unnacceptable |
However, she said the appearance of masked men inside the court was unacceptable and "should not have happened". | However, she said the appearance of masked men inside the court was unacceptable and "should not have happened". |
She has asked the NI Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) to establish how it occurred. | She has asked the NI Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) to establish how it occurred. |
It is an offence to refuse to remove a face covering if asked by police who believe a crime may be committed. | It is an offence to refuse to remove a face covering if asked by police who believe a crime may be committed. |
The police told BBC News NI there has been no repeat of Monday's occurrence. | The police told BBC News NI there has been no repeat of Monday's occurrence. |
Chief Superintendent Darrin Jones said: "Police are aware of concerns raised after a group of males concealed their identity. | Chief Superintendent Darrin Jones said: "Police are aware of concerns raised after a group of males concealed their identity. |
"At the first opportunity, in discussion with court staff, police made the judge aware of this." | "At the first opportunity, in discussion with court staff, police made the judge aware of this." |
Police to remain present at court | Police to remain present at court |
Ch Supt Jones said the incident has not been repeated since and police are conscious that the current trial is sensitive and will continue to be present in court. | Ch Supt Jones said the incident has not been repeated since and police are conscious that the current trial is sensitive and will continue to be present in court. |
"If there is any reoccurrence in public, police will seek to use all appropriate legislation and powers to prevent it. | "If there is any reoccurrence in public, police will seek to use all appropriate legislation and powers to prevent it. |
"We will work with court staff to prevent any reoccurrence inside the confines of the court," he added. | "We will work with court staff to prevent any reoccurrence inside the confines of the court," he added. |
A spokesperson for NICTS said: "We have commenced a review to establish the details of the incident. | A spokesperson for NICTS said: "We have commenced a review to establish the details of the incident. |
"Findings of the review will be shared and discussed with the Lady Chief Justice." | "Findings of the review will be shared and discussed with the Lady Chief Justice." |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
Belfast | Belfast |
Northern Ireland |