Commenting on DOJ’s plans to close Ballymena Courthouse, TUV MLA North Antrim Jim Allister said it was the most absurd and irrational decision relating to all the axed courthouses.
“This same department spent £1.7m in upgrading this courthouse, now they plan to close it, while continuing to bear the significant cost of the upkeep of a listed building. All this before we even consider the huge inconvenience caused to local users, with not a single courthouse to be left in the borough. There also is the philistine approach to a facility and beautiful building which has been a landmark in the town of Ballymena for decades.
“Devolution, we were told, was about enhancing sensible local and accountable decisions. A distant direct rule minister could not have done worse. Shame on the local department and minister.”