Former courthouse could be converted
THE Courts Service has no plans for the old courthouse on Boghall Road in Bray and it is considered surplus to their requirements.
The service confirmed this in correspondence to Minister Simon Harris, who has called for the building to be converted to community use.
‘ The former courthouse is now vacant for 14 years,’ said Minister Simon Harris.
‘My Bray colleagues Cllr Aoife Flynn-Kennedy and Cllr Melanie Corrigan have excellent proposals to turn this building over to community use.’
‘In circumstances where a property is surplus to our requirements the Courts Service, in the first instance, offers the property to the local authority or the OPW for alternative public use,’ Courts Services told Minister Harris.
‘In the specific case of the former courthouse on Boghall Road the Courts Service would be willing to explore transferring ownership of the building to Wicklow County Council so that it can be made available for alternative public/community use.’
Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy said that over the last year she has had the chance to meet many groups in the town who are meeting the needs of the community but struggling to find a place to call home.
‘Groups like St. Teresa’s Boxing Club Bray and Wicklow Alzheimer’s Society need to be able to support both the young and older members of our community in these challenging times.
‘Bringing the old court house community use can help to meet this need.’
‘As more people continue to work from home, the need for a Community Hub has become more evident,’ said Bray West Fine Gael councillor Melanie Corrigan.
‘We can all see the benefits both to the environment through less travel, as well as achieving a good work life balance, but working from your home is not always possible,’ said Cllr Corrigan.
‘ We need to support people to maintain their employment or start their own enterprise. This is where a Community Hub can really provide the key. A place where people can work, accessing a good internet service and peer support.’
Cllrs Corrigan and Flynn Kennedy are to raise the future use of the Court House directly with Wicklow County Council.