Closing courts in West Cork ‘will cost thousands’

Solicitors in West Cork estimate that the proposed closure of three courts in the region will cost the public and the State hundreds of thousands of euro.

The West Cork Bar Association has sent a detailed submission to the Courts Service in which it outlines a number of objections to the proposals to transfer court sittings in Kinsale (currently sitting in Bandon), Clonakilty,and Skibbereen to Cork City.

While the Courts Service will save money, the saving pales into insignificance when compared to theadditional expenses which will be incurred by other arms of the State, including gardaí.

It is estimated that closing the three courts will save the Courts Service around €18,000. But WCBA honorary secretary Maria O’Donoghue said additional costs for witnesses and gardaí would be “a very conservative” €58,000.

The association, which represents 120 solicitors, provided a comprehensive breakdown of the savings and additional costs in terms of closing Skibbereen District Court and transferring its function to Cork, which is a 170km round trip.

Not only would it lead to additional expenses for State officials of up to €29,738 per year, but appearing in the court would take gardaí out of the town for probably all of their shift.

“The enforced absence of the gardaí from a community in attending a district court sitting outside of the town is of grave concern and gives rise to serious security issues for our communities,” said Ms O'Donoghue. “The waste of precious garda resources would be unconscionable.”

For the public, the costs and inconvenience associated with the increased travel are even more significant.

For example, people living in Baltimore (who, until now, travel to the Skibbereen court) face a 195km round trip in a car.

If they have to rely on Bus Éireann, they would have to get the 8.15am service to be in time for the start of the court sitting in Cork.

If the courts was to sit later than 6.20pm, they would have to thumb home, having missed the latest return service.

The cost of a return adult ticket is up to €30.50.

On average, more than 200 people attend each sitting of Skibbereen District Court, the majority who are members of the public.

Ms O’Donoghue said people would also be denied access to justice.

She said, and this was backed up by West Cork Women Against Violence Project, the inconvenience and expense of travelling to Cork could put people off pursuing a case.

There will also be an economic impact to the towns because people attending courts there spend money on food and refreshment during the lunch break.