Drug accusedcensorship is up to Judge

JUSTICE Minister David Ford says it is the responsibility of the Lord Chief Justice for Northen Ireland to issue advice to the Judiciary when asked if he had any plans to censor the addresses of people charged with drug offences given the threat by Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD).

By The Newsroom

Published 22nd Jul 2012, 16:06 BST

The Minister said any guidance issued to local Judges was a matter for the Lord Chief Justice Declan Morgan.

DUP MLA Lord Morrow had asked Mr Ford “whether he has any plans to issue guidance on requests from Judges for anonymity for, or to have the press withhold the addresses of, people charged with drug offences, due the fear of attacks on those charged by RAAD.”

The query follows a recent case at Londonderry Magistrates Court where a judge asked the press not to publish the addresses of two alleged drug dealers because of fears they would be targeted by the self-appointed vigilante group.

Mr Ford told Lord Morrow: “The decision to issue guidance to members of the Judiciary on any topic is a matter for the Lord Chief Justice and not something upon which I can comment.”

DUP