Newtownards: Graffiti threatening senior judge appears outside court

The incident occurred prior to scheduled court appearances on Wednesday over disputes amongst local loyalist factions.

A number of windows of the courthouse were also smashed.

Judge Hamill said: “Newtownards Magistrates’ Court will not be intimidated.” He said the event was “an existential threat to the rule of law in Newtownards”.

“I do not care which side of this gangster drug feud attacked the court,” he added.

“If anyone thinks that damaging the court and behaving in this way that the court will be intimidated – this court is not going to be intimidated.

“It’s a threat to the rule of law in Ards and will be treated as such.”

Independent unionist councillor Steven Irvine said the incident was a “totally and utterly disgraceful” act.

Moira Smyth KC, chair of the Bar of Northern Ireland, said: “Judges must be able to decide cases solely on the evidence presented in court.”

She added: “It is vital in our society that individual judges and the judiciary as a whole are free from external pressure and threat,” concluding that any such threats are “an attack on the rule of law and our democracy, and is condemned without equivocation.”

The PSNI are appealing to the public for any witness who observed suspicious activity between 18:00 BST on Tuesday and 07:30 on Wednesday to come forward.