Opposition over plans for €21m Cork courthouse

A €21m plan by the Courts Service to build a new courthouse in Cork City is facing increasing opposition over fears it will lead lead to the closure of several district courts around the county.

Solicitors and judges have voiced their disapproval of the move and it is likely the Cork County Joint Policing Committee (JPC) will formally do so at its next meeting.

Last week, JPC members expressed agreement with the sentiments of one of Fianna Fáil councillor Daithí Ó Donnabháin when he raised the issue and said he would seek their support to call on the Courts Service to draw back on the plan.

The councillor is a solicitor and son of Circuit Court judge Sean Ó Donnabháin.

When he retired as the most senior judge in Cork city and county, Judge Patrick J Moran also questioned the wisdom of plans by the Courts Services to close some courts around the county.

He chose the occasion of his retirement to launch a challenge to court service plans to centralise the criminal courts at a new development at Anglesea St.

Mr Ó Donnabháin said a lot of money was already spent renovating courthouse in Washington St.

“In fact, many commentated at the time about the extraordinary costs of the project. In excess of €40m was spent on renovating it and on leasing temporary premises at Camden Quay.”

He said he could not see why a further €21m spend was now planned at Anglesea St,

“On a practical level, the Washington St courthouse does have the two best court rooms, outside of Dublin, for the holding of a criminal trial,” he said. “A criminal trial process can involve bringing in a large jury panel, multiple witnesses, perhaps a number of defendants, Gardaí and other necessary parties. The large courtrooms 1 & 2 in that building are ideal for such purposes.

“An examination must also be carried out as to the workings of the criminal lists. By common consent of legal professionals, there has been a drastic reduction in the number of prosecutions coming before the District Court. In other words, what is the need for a new building? It’s clearly the case that there is no demand or necessity in the system for new or additional space for the conduct of criminal cases.”

He said he was also concerned, like many other public representatives, at the eventual plan to centralise all court sittings in the city.

“On February 4, the Southern Law Association are due to hold an EGM to discuss the project. At their AGM last year there was widespread condemnation of the project and the EGM was called for,” said Mr Ó Donnabháin.

“By any measure, this new building (at Anglesea St) flies in the face of reality, requirements and common sense. The project is being modelled on the Courts of Criminal Justice complex, near the Phoenix Park in Dublin.

“However, the point to be made there, is that the system in Dublin was very different and required rationalisation, but also resulted in courthouse closures. Rural Ireland is effected by crime, and particularly so in recent years, and justice should be seen to be done, locally.”