It follows a legal challenge by a 15-year-old boy who was identified in newspapers as a suspect in a cyber attack.

The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, which prevents under-18s being named in connection with alleged crimes, has yet to be commenced in Northern Ireland by the NI Executive.

Handing down his ruling, Mr Justice Adrian Colton said: “The respondent cannot be compelled to legislate on this matter.

“Given the wide margin of appreciation available to the state there is no basis for a finding that the measures in place amount to a breach of any positive obligation imposed under Article 8 or in domestic law.”