A senior judge has questioned the right of a so-called west Belfast community group to make written submissions to the Bap McGreevy murder trial.
Mr Justice Hart's comments came during the tariff hearing of Thomas Valliday, 22, from Lady Street for the murder of 51-year-old IRA man Francis 'Bap' McGreevy, two years ago last month.
Valliday's defence lawyer, Philip Magee SC, went further, accusing the so-called 'West Belfast Community Safety Forum' of attempting to "subvert" the Crown Court by making "a plea for vengeance".
Mr Justice Hart said this was "the first time that a document of this sort has been put before the court", particularly since it was not from a statutory body.
He added that even politicians or local councils have never attempted to put forward any view on such matters.
Mr Magee, in opposing the letter, said nevertheless it was important that the court see the document "because of the type of views being put forward" in it.
He added that the court already had "a very proper victim impact report from the McGreevy family" and how his murder has affected them.
'Message'
However, in the letter from the west Belfast group, they asked that Valliday be given such a sentence "that it would send out a clear message to others".
Mr Magee said the call came from "people who have no right" to make such views to the court, and from "people feeling that they can have an import into the courts".
The lawyer further accused the group of "attempting to influence the appropriate level of sentence in Mr Valliday's case ... it is a plea for vengeance and asking for that message to be sent out ... that is a matter for the courts".
Mr Justice Hart will rule next week on the minimum term that Valliday must serve of his life sentence for the murder of Mr McGreevy who died on February 18th 2008.
Prosecution QC Gordon Kerr said that any set tariff should begin at the higher starting point given number and type of injuries inflicted on a vulnerable, defenceless Mr McGreevy before death.
Mr Kerr claimed there were no mitigating factors, save possibly Valliday's then young age, and that during his trial there was no remorse or contrition, although there was now a suggestion of it in a probation report.
Mr Magee, in his submissions, claimed that since the trial Valliday "has expressed remorse for the death of Mr McGreevy ... and this expression of remorse and regret is seen as sincere".
Mr Magee added that Valliday, who had "led a very sad life", but is now getting himself an education in prison, was well aware of the vast suffering he had cause the family of Mr McGreevy by his actions.
© UTV News