Masked men in court will “not be tolerated”, the chief constable has warned.
There was condemnation last month after men appearing to use face coverings to disguise their faces appeared in the public gallery at Belfast Crown Court during a murder trial.
It happened as former loyalist paramilitary turned supergrass Gary Haggarty gave evidence in the trial of James Stewart Smyth, 57, of Forthriver Link in Belfast, for the murders of Eamon Fox and Gary Convie in 1994.
Smyth denies the charges.
There was a heavy police presence at Laganside courts while Haggarty gave evidence.
On the first day of his evidence, a number of men wearing face coverings sat in the public gallery of the court for several hours.
When concerns were raised with trial judge Mr Justice O’Hara, he warned that anyone covering their faces would be removed from the court.
In a statement a spokesperson for Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland Dame Siobhan Keegan said: “The Lady Chief Justice considers that this was not acceptable and should not have happened.
“The judge dealt with the matter appropriately when it was brought to his attention.”
Speaking at a meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board on Thursday, PSNI interim Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said steps have been taken to ensure no further such incidents happen.
“When I saw those images I was extremely frustrated, and I know they presented uncomfortable viewing for everybody,” he said.
“But immediately steps were taken to ensure no further such incidents occurred.
“A PSNI debrief has taken place and a joint one is now going to take place with the courts service to identify any learning.
“I want to be very clear, we – I – will not tolerate such acts of intimidation from anyone. They have no place in society.
“I spoke to the officer in charge immediately I became aware, and was delighted that matters were remedied straight away.”
