Individual Post

 SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has welcomed an announcement from the Justice Minister that she intends to reverse the decision taken by the previous Justice Minister and former Alliance Leader David Ford to close Armagh Courthouse.

He said: “This decision is a victory for local people on the ground who rallied and campaigned against the closure of the Armagh courthouse. The local legal profession in particular deserve huge credit for the way in which they worked to fight the closure proposals.  

“The plan was a misguided cost-saving exercise that would have unfairly and disproportionately disadvantaged rural communities. 

“Armagh has already been unjustly and repeatedly targeted for cuts to frontline services and has been starved from any meaningful Government investment for decades.  

“The removal of our courthouse would have spelled disaster for many local legal businesses and people who rely on regular access to legal services. The Executive should explain why they felt the need to put them through the wringer when it appears the new Justice Minister has been able to halt the closure with relative ease.”