McDowell backs use of juryless court

Carl O'Brien, Political Correspondent

He was speaking after the publication of a review of the Offences Against the State Acts which recommends retaining key provisions like internment and the Special Criminal Court. But a minority of a committee, headed by its chairman, Mr Justice Anthony Hederman, recommending the restoration of jury courts for all criminal trials. Mr McDowell said juries were the cornerstone of our legal system, but said the court had to be seen in the context of a paramilitary threat.

He said the safety of the people was the supreme law and everyone had to be protected from “an agenda of evil” by some determined to bring Northern Ireland to a state of civil war.