Limerick to get its first Supreme Court sitting

THE Supreme Court will sit in Limerick today for the first time ever.

The court will sit in the new multi-million-euro Criminal Courts of Justice building on Mulgrave Street, which will be officially opened by Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan.

It’s only the second time in the history of the State that the Supreme Court has sat outside the Four Courts. The sittings, over three days, are part of a programme, which will see the Supreme Court judges involved in more local activities with court users and law students.

Chief Justice Frank Clarke will address the court at 10.30am, prior to the official opening at 5pm. The modern new courthouse, which opened last month, was built as part of a €140million public-private partnership and includes six courtrooms, victim support, consultation rooms, offices and a custody suite.

It now hosts all of Limerick’s District and Circuit criminal cases, as well as Central Criminal Court regional rape and murder trials.

Remand prisoners will be driven less than 200 yards from Limerick Prison to the new courts building.

The Prison Service turned down an offer by the Courts Services to construct a tunnel or walkway connecting the jail and the courts.