One of the leaders of the Social Democrats has said she would vote against retaining the Special Criminal Court again.

Catherine Murphy has condemned recent gangland violence - but said the non-jury court should only be used for exceptional circumstances.

Sinn Féin has been severely criticised throughout the election campaign so far for saying it would scrap the court if elected to Government.

Deputy Murphy has said she is not in favour of them either: “What has happened in the last week or ten days has no place in a civilised society.

“But if you accept the premise that the Special Criminal Court is there to stay then you accept the premise that this kind of crime will always be with us.”