Joint statement by TUV councilor Andrew Girvin and Lagan Valley Assembly candidate Lyle Rea:
“I am dismayed by the actions of the Justice Minister, David Ford, to press ahead with his proposed closure of Lisburn Courthouse.
“Lisburn will now be one of the few cities in the UK without a court house and victims of crime will now face the added stress of travelling to Belfast.
“David Ford from the very beginning has sought to close Lisburn court house, and appears unwilling to listen to any workable ideas which the community and elected representatives put forward.
“The speed of the announcement – so soon after the consultation closed – will doubtless leave many with the impression that the consolation was merely a box ticking exercise.
“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.”