The judges were killed on Sunday morning after gunmen ambushed the court vehicle which was taking them through northern Kabul to their office.

The Judges’ Council of Northern Ireland said it was “another attack in a series of continuing and murderous attacks on the system of justice in Afghanistan”, as well as “truly dreadful and dastardly attack on female members of an independent judiciary”.

In its statement, the judges added: “This was an attack against not only the rule of law but also against Afghan women and their right to contribute to the system of justice in Afghanistan.

“The members of the Northern Ireland judiciary offer their most sincere condolences to the families and friends of the judges who were so cruelly murdered and also to their colleagues who seek to maintain the rule of law and the independence of their judiciary in difficult and trying circumstances.”

The Law Society of Northern Ireland said it “unreservedly condemns the killing of two female judges in Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday morning”.

It added: “The Society condemns this attack on the rule of law and the administration of justice in a country which has already had to endure so many years of violence and suffering.”