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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Nov 1935

Vol. 59 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Removal of Court from Swanlinbar.

asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that the people of Swanlinbar old petty sessions district had been seriously inconvenienced some years ago by the removal of the monthly court from Swanlinbar to Bawnboy, five miles away; that the position was made worse by its removal every alternate month to Ballyconnell and that for the last year or so it has been held almost every month in Ballyconnell and that in consequence the people have been compelled on every trivial charge to attend a court that is nine miles farther away than the original court; if it is with the Minister's consent these changes have been made, and whether he will see that at least the bi-monthly courts shall be held at Bawnboy, as had been the custom, where commodious and suitable accommodation is available in the boardroom.

Under the District Court (New Areas) Order, 1927, made by the Minister for Justice on 16th December, 1927, the district electoral division of Swanlinbar and 11 adjoining district electoral divisions were constituted into a district court area, the court to be held once a month, and the place of sitting to be Bawnboy and Ballyconnell in alternate months. The accommodation supplied at Bawnboy has, however, not been satisfactory, particularly in winter months, owing to the absence of adequate heating, lighting, and seating arrangements, and for these reasons the court has been held at Ballyconnell on several occasions when it should normally have sat at Bawnboy. I am not aware that any serious inconvenience has been caused to anybody by this arrangement.

Arising out of the Minister's reply when he says that the accommodation at Bawnboy is not satisfactory, I can tell him that the accommodation there is the same as the accommodation provided for the board of guardians. Not only is it a comfortable room, but there is a good fireplace, and a very large table and all necessary accommodation. I think the Minister should see that it is a much greater inconvenience for the people to have to go four miles farther once in two months.

My information is as given in the answer to the Deputy's question, which is to the effect that the heating and lighting are not satisfactory, and representations will be made, and have been made already, to the County Council to put the Bawnboy place in proper condition.

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