Members of the public have been left horrified after a group of masked men appeared in the public gallery of a murder trial in Northern Ireland.
The group appeared at a trial over the killing of Eamon Fox and Gary Convie in 1994 on Monday.
Following the incident, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has expressed his disbelief at the action.
While Northern Ireland’s most senior judge has ordered a review of the incident to find out what happened.
Speaking to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Mr Heaton-Harris said: “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.”
The defendant on trial for murder was 57-year-old James Stewart Smyth.
Since his trial began, there has reportedly been a heavy police presence at Laganside courts as evidence has been heard from former Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) personnel.
During the trial, the group of men sat at the back of the courtroom while evidence was being heard.
For a short time, their actions were not alerted to the judge who later said those concealing their faces would be told to leave the court.
Speaking on Thursday, former Northern Ireland justice minister Claire Sugden said what happened was “unacceptable”.
She told the BBC: “It should not have been allowed to happen and definitely there needs to be something to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
Later, Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan said the matter had been dealt with “appropriately”.
She added that the appearance of the men in masks should not have happened and has asked the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Service (NICTS) to establish what happened.
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.”
Mr Jones added: “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.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for the 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.”
