Lists significantly reduced but business continuing at Co. Louth courthouses

The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted on local district court business.

Sittings in Dundalk and Drogheda are going ahead on scheduled dates but with significantly reduced lists.

Only urgent matters are being dealt with such as Child & Family Agency, family law and custody cases.

There have been block adjournments of the majority of cases.

The Easter Term of the circuit criminal court in Dundalk began on Tuesday last, 21 April, and had been due to run for six weeks.

However, no jury trials will commence over that period.

The adjourned date for criminal matters listed is 30 June next.

District court appeals listed during the Easter Term where the person accused before the court is not in custody are adjourned to Dundalk on 16 June.

Some circuit court business is taking place, and the court sat in Drogheda last Wednesday and Thursday.

Courts are sitting around the country during the lockdown, though the numbers have been reduced dramatically.

The Courts Service has used online means of adjourning, accepting, and organising matters for those who need the courts.

Social distancing is being adhered to for people attending, while video conferencing is utilised to reduce the numbers of defendants travelling from prisons.

Every day the numbers in court are managed before any sitting starts.

The service has also initiated a trial of remote court hearings to avoid the need to be physically present for court.

‘ The public should be reassured that courts remain open to deal with urgent, emergency, and custody matters.’ a statement said.

‘We are working daily to ensure access to justice is maintained.’