Plans to close two Co Tipperary courthouses labelled ‘short-sighted'
District Judge Brian O'Shea, assigned to District 21 covering east Cork, south Tipperary and west Waterford, wrote to the head of Circuit and District Court operations in March indicating that he is transferring District Court sittings from Youghal to Dungarvan and from Cashel and Carrick-on-Suir to Clonmel.
The directions for the transfer were issued pursuant to Section 27 (3) of the Courts of Justice Act and Order 2, Rule 1 (2) of the District Court Rules with effect from November 1 next.
Additionally, with effect from June 1 there will be an extra sitting in District 21 on the second Friday of each month where cases from Youghal will be heard in Dungarvan.
It is planned that this additional sitting will be for Child and Family Agency matters. Details of these changes among others, which are set out in Statutory Instrument Number 77 of 2025, can be found on the Courts Service website.
'The Courts Service has now commenced engaging with the various stakeholders such as legal practitioners, gardaí, state solicitors, the Probation Service, the Irish Prison Service, local family law user representative groups, unions representing court staff and others, to explore any possible impacts and unintended consequences of the proposed transfers,' said a courts spokesperson.
'Upon completion of this work the Courts Service will report on its findings to the relevant District Judge and make operational plans accordingly. The Courts Service has no record of having received communications about this matter from Cork County Council, but of course will engage with them, as with others with an interest in this matter.'
Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council Declan Burgess said he is 'deeply shocked' and 'disappointed' by recent reports indicating the planned closure of Cashel Courthouse this autumn.
'I am firmly opposed to the removal of services from this facility and their relocation to Clonmel,' he said. "This decision is a serious mistake. It represents a short-sighted move to centralise services without considering the negative impact on Cashel and its surrounding communities.
"I have urgently contacted the Court Services and have also made formal representations to the Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan. Rather than closing the courthouse, a small investment – such as upgrading the public toilet facilities – would be far more constructive and cost-effective.
'I totally oppose this approach and will do my best to ensure we keep our historic courthouse open and operational for the people it serves,' added Cllr Burgess.
ADVERTISEMENT
Learn more
It's understood Judge O'Shea has taken the decision after four years of consideration of the condition of the court buildings. In his submission he said that Carrick-on-Suir courthouse lacks a public toilet, is cold and damp, attracting mould and vermin, while a stairway is rotting due to a leak.
Cashel Courthouse's toilets were described 'disgustingly unhygienic' in Judge O'Shea's submission, while the building is small and cramped, meaning people have to wait outside on family law days. Youghal Courthouse is also cold and not fit for purpose, resulting in solicitors having to wear jackets and coats indoors.
Judge O'Shea has said he believes that any inconvenience is compensated for by the benefits of attending a court in warm conditions with proper facilities, with improved security.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
4 days ago
- The Journal
Man accused of stabbing on Eden Quay a 'serious risk to public safety', court hears
LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago A 31-YEAR-OLD MAN accused of a severe knife 'slashing' attack in Dublin city centre on Monday, leaving an Algerian national in critical condition, 'poses a serious risk to public safety,' a court heard today. Adel Attal, also from Algeria but living in Ireland for two years and with an address on Henry Street, Mallow, Co Cork, was refused bail by Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court. He was charged with assault causing harm to the injured man at Rosie Hackett Bridge, Eden Quay, Dublin 1, and the production of a knife as a weapon during the incident on Monday afternoon. In evidence, Detective Garda Tom McEvoy of Store Street station said the accused gave no reply to the charges. The detective objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the case and his 'firm belief' that Mr Attal was a flight risk. The court heard that he has been living in State accommodation in Mallow. Detective Garda McEvoy told the court he thought the accused would evade justice if bail were granted as he had no ties to Ireland and previously resided in Algeria, England, Spain and France. The detective believed the accused had ties and could be 'harboured in these jurisdictions' if released on bail. Detective Garda McEvoy alleged that the injured man suffered serious slashing stab wounds to his stomach, back and legs. The court heard he had life-threatening injuries necessitating emergency surgery in hospital, where he was in critical condition. Advertisement Detective Garda McEvoy alleged that the incident happened at 4.40 pm when the victim and another male had an altercation on the bridge. Detective Garda McEvoy alleged that the accused was carrying a large knife and 'inflicted several slashing and stab motions' before the man fell to the ground. Witnesses called 999 and alerted gardai that the accused went to Wicklow Street, the contested bail hearing was told. The judge also heard gardai had harvested a large quantity of CCTV evidence clearly depicting the victim cut with the knife and the slashing. The court heard the weapon was thrown into the River Liffey, but a Garda sub-aqua unit located it on the river bed, and it will be sent for testing. 'Blood splatter' evidence was recovered from the accused and has been sent for forensic analysis. Mr Attal, who has yet to indicate a plea, did not address the court and listened to the proceedings with the aid of an Arabic interpreter. Questioned by defence solicitor Luke Staines, the detective accepted the accused could face two years on remand until his trial. He also agreed with Mr Staines that the injured man's condition had been changed to 'stable critical', and the solicitor posited that there was a chance he would survive. Mr Staines submitted that his client did not have a history of committing serious offences, as he pleaded with the judge to consider bail with strict conditions, including a cash lodgement and an independent surety. However, Judge Finan held that he was a flight risk, refused bail and remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on June 11. She agreed to direct him to receive a medical and psychiatric assessment in custody. Legal aid was granted. A second man was arrested today and held for questioning.
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Sunday World
Young criminal on the run after fleeing car crash as ‘vulnerable' teenage girlfriend arrested
The 18-year old and her fugitive boyfriend embarked on the spree that involved mostly car break-ins since he escaped from garda custody in April A teenager suspected of being involved in a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde crime spree was arrested yesterday after a stolen car in which she was a passenger crashed outside Monaghan town. The 18-year old and her fugitive boyfriend embarked on the spree that involved mostly car break-ins since he escaped from garda custody in April. The young woman was detained after the car they were travelling in crashed at around 3am. Her 19-year old boyfriend, who is believed to have been at the wheel, is suspected of having fled the scene with a criminal associate. A stolen car they are believed to have made off in was later found crashed and abandoned in Northern Ireland. Both stolen vehicles were taken on Monday in a burglary in Smithboro, Co Monaghan. A source said the cars were driven at 'extremely high speeds', and the young fugitive has been taunting gardaí on social media since his escape. 'If this continues, someone is going to get seriously injured or even worse. The fact that the two cars that were stolen in Co Monaghan ended up being crashed is real proof of this,' the source said. 'The reality is that the boyfriend needs to be taken off the street. He is wanted by multiple garda divisions and has been close to getting caught over the past few weeks, but always seems to get away sometimes in utterly bizarre circumstances.' The young woman, who is described as vulnerable, was brought to Cavan District Court yesterday and granted bail after being charged with being a passenger in a stolen vehicle. The young woman's mother previously said she was concerned her daughter could be seriously harmed by youth Minutes after walking out of court, she was re-arrested after being caught stealing clothing at a premises in the town. She was brought back before the court and fined €250 after being convicted. Last night, it was believed she was back in the company of her boyfriend. She is said to be 'besotted' with him. The young fugitive has been the subject of a manhunt since he escaped from Balbriggan garda station on April 23 after climbing over a wall while in custody. The young woman's mother previously said she was concerned her daughter could be seriously harmed by the youth. She declined to comment yesterday. Gardaí want to speak with the young woman about a series of crimes she may have witnessed since her boyfriend's escape from the garda station. These include several car break-ins and shop robberies in Waterford, Tipperary, west Cork and the border counties. She was previously detained and questioned by detectives from Kilkenny and Portlaoise in relation to her alleged involvement with her boyfriend's crimes. The young fugitive, who is from north Co Dublin, has about 40 previous convictions, many of which were for offences he carried out as a juvenile. Photo: Stock image News in 90 June 4th
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Chef admits to bringing over €400k of drugs in suitcase to Dublin Airport
There was €404,520 of cannabis, weighing slightly less than 22.5kg, found in 45 vacuum-sealed packets in this suitcase. Gardaí came across Kyle Lawrence (19) when they were investigating a report of trespassing in a car park at Dublin Airport A chef caught with €400,000 of cannabis at Dublin Airport told gardai he was under pressure due to a drugs debt of €15,000. James Fuery (32) of Brookview Grove, Tallaght, Dublin 24, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on September 25, last. He has eight previous convictions at the District Court for road traffic, theft and public order offences. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard evidence that customs officers at Dublin Airport stopped Fuery, who had arrived on a flight from Ibiza, after a drugs detection dog showed interest in the suitcase he was carrying. €404,520 of cannabis, weighing slightly less than 22.5kg, was found in 45 vacuum-sealed packets in this suitcase. Fuery was cooperative and identified the suitcase as the one he'd brought to the airport. He told gardai that this was the first time he had brought drugs into the country. Gardaí came across Kyle Lawrence (19) when they were investigating a report of trespassing in a car park at Dublin Airport News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 Fuery outlined to gardai his difficulties with cocaine and cannabis, and how he had relapsed into addiction. He said he built up a drug debt of €15,000 and was under pressure. The investigating garda agreed with Gerardine Small SC, defending, that her client was co-operative, entered an early guilty plea and has no previous convictions for drug offences. It was further accepted that Fuery told gardai that he realised bringing the suitcase was wrong and that he was scared. The garda agreed that Fuery said he was told that he had to have the money in 24 hours or go and get the suitcase and was apologetic. It was also accepted that Fuery had no proprietary interest in the drugs and had no trappings of wealth. Ms Small told the court her client had previously experienced homelessness due to his addiction issues and underwent rehabilitation. Fuery later relapsed into addiction and built up a debt, when he was asked to take this suitcase. Counsel said Fuery was genuinely concerned for himself and his family A number of references were handed in, and members of Fuery's family were in court to support him. Fuery has a good work history and is working as a chef while in custody A governor's report was handed to the court. Counsel noted that urine analysis had been requested but was not before the court. Ms Small asked the court to take into account her client's early guilty plea, noting that his previous convictions are of a different nature, and to show as much leniency as possible for her client. Remanding Fuery in custody, Judge Elma Sheahan directed urine analysis and adjourned the case for finalisation to July 7 next.
