Return of Drogheda Circuit Court expected
Chief Justice praises 'assertive' new build of Boyneside court
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan opened a €9 million new courthouse in Drogheda, Co Louth on 10 July and set out his ongoing reform and investment programme.
Chief Justice Mrs Justice Susan Denham also attended the ceremony and said that the new building would become an intrinsic part of Drogheda’s cultural heritage and the town’s fabric for generations to come.
Minister Flanagan said that the Government and its immediate predecessor had prioritised reform of the courts and the legal system. He praised the “assertive civic quality” of the new building.
Colm Berkery of the Drogheda Solicitors’ Bar Association said he was delighted with the new building after 32 years in temporary accommodation. He is hopeful of a return of the Circuit Court to the town as a result.
Drogheda is the largest town in Ireland and has 61 working solicitors. The new 1,350 sq metre building has two double-height courtrooms. Natural light is drawn deep into the building through light wells, which animate enclosed internal spaces.
Ramped
The ramped access resolves the requirement for the building to be elevated above the flood plain of the Boyne Valley.
The Chief Justice said that the country was now developing a fine stock of buildings for court users, which would add to our national architectural heritage.
“In the past, major court buildings were designed more to intimidate than to accommodate,” she said. “This building is universally accessible for public and staff.”
Minister Flanagan added that, as we updated our laws and legal systems, it was only right that we would also update our courts infrastructure.
“High-profile innovations by the last Government include the establishment of the Court of Appeal, and this Government has ambitious plans to establish a dedicated Family Court within existing court structures,” he said.
The new family law legislation is set to streamline family-law court processes, clarify jurisdictional issues and provide principles to help the Family Court operate in a user-friendly and efficient manner, the minister said.
'Local courthouses are a major priority
“The Family Court Bill will support the proposals in the Mediation Bill 2017 by encouraging greater use of alternative dispute resolution to assist in more timely resolution of family law cases. I hope to see that Mediation Bill passed before the Oireachtas rises for the recess.”
“And while these innovations are high profile, local courthouses are also a major priority,” he added.
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<ul> <li>Drogheda courthouse was in temporary accommodation for 32 years</li> <li>There are 61 working solicitors in the town</li> <li>Drogheda is the largest town in Ireland</li> <li>The floor area of the new courthouse is 1350 square metres</li> </ul>