Plan to axe Ballymena Courthouse is blasted by councillors

Mid and East Antrim councillors have raised concerns about the proposed closure of Ballymena Courthouse.

By The Newsroom

Published 25th Mar 2015, 09:51 BST

Justice Minister David Ford has issued a consultation ona proposal to axe eight of Northern Ireland’s 20 courthouses, arising frombecause of budget cuts.

Since Larne Courthouse closed its doors in 2013, local court business has been heard in Ballymena.

Speaking out against the proposed closure, DUP member Cllr Paul Reid Reid said: “This proposed closure will mean that cases will have to be transferred either to Coleraine or Antrim, where there is no no direct public transport from Larne.”

Fellow DUP councillor Gregg McKeen added: “Should this closure go ahead, Mid and East Antrim Council area will be left with no court provision, and the people of Larne will have felt the minister’s cuts for a second time in as many of years.