Sir Richard McLaughlin said the courts were the only place for the law to be administered, The Irish News reports.

Brendan Carragher, 33, appeared before the court to face charges of causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and making a threat to kill. He was granted bail.

Sir Richard told the court that the rule of law was being challenged by people who wanted to take the law into their own hands. However, he said the court would meet that challenge to its authority head-on.