Members of judiciary raised security concerns before Judge Walsh assault

An Garda Síochána was made aware of judges’ concerns before the attack, but has only now entered into talks with the Courts Service of Ireland to improve security during proceedings.

The belated response has shaken confidence in courthouse security, with one legal source telling the newspaper that members of the judiciary feared Friday’s incident would be treated as “a one-off event” instead of precipitating further security measures.

The report comes after Ken Murphy, director general of the Law Society of Ireland, warned that “everyone in a courtroom must be protected from such violent outbursts”.

Mr Murphy, speaking after reports of Judge Walsh’s assault, said: “This vicious assault on a judge, sitting on the bench administering justice, is an audacious assault on the face of justice itself.

“Absolutely everyone in a courtroom must be protected from such violent outbursts. If not then the rule of law will be replaced by the rule of the jungle.”

A spokesman for the Courts Service told The Irish Times that courthouse security is constantly under review.