Ulster Unionist Justice Spokesperson Tom Elliott MLA has highlighted Sinn Fein’s hypocrisy in recent comments about the possibility of Courthouse closures.
Mr Elliott said:
"Sinn Fein MLA Sean Lynch expressed his “dismay” at the Justice Minister’s announcement to consult on closing a number of Courthouses across Northern Ireland, and in particular Enniskillen.
“I too am concerned about the possible closure of Courthouses, mainly due to the fact that the local justice system is renowned for delays and backlog, and am urgently seeking a meeting with the Justice Minister.
“However, Sean Lynch’s concern about Courthouse closures shows how far Sinn Fein has travelled and also highlights a degree of hypocrisy.
“Not only did Mr Lynch and the rest of Sinn Fein vote for the Budget which has brought this situation about, but there was a time - and it’s not so long ago - when the IRA was mounting a very determined campaign to close Courthouses, and without any hint of a consultation process!
“To name but a few, in 1973 they bombed the Old Bailey in London and in Northern Ireland they bombed Armagh, Cookstown, Newry and Strabane Courthouses in 1993, and Belfast in 1997. Ironically Armagh and Strabane are two of those which David Ford has suggested may be closed.
“It is well known that some Sinn Fein politicians have bad memories, not least of them Gerry Adams who can’t remember being in the IRA, but it would appear that this amnesia has spread to Sean Lynch who has blanked out all memory of the IRA’s terrorist campaign to close Courthouses.”