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.
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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.
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