As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that following some routine maintenance work which was being undertaken in Glenties Courthouse, the Office of Public Works expressed concern over the structure of the ceiling in a room on the first floor of the Courthouse. The Courts Service arranged for the area to be sealed off and sought a full report from the Office of Public Works.
I am informed that the report identified loose plaster in ceilings and walls, dry rot in the floor at the public entrance, a lack of safety equipment such as emergency lighting or fire alarms and a requirement for replacement gutters and downpipes. The Courts Service has indicated that the cost of this remedial work is estimated at €80,000 plus vat and will have to be considered in the context of an earlier report outlining multiple underlying issues with the courthouse which should also be addressed.
In view of the potentially serious health and safety issues which have been identified, the Courts Service has suspended court sittings in the courthouse. As an interim measure an alternative location has been sourced for sittings of the District Court in the community centre.
