‘We need our court’

RENEWED FEARS THAT KILLORGLIN’S DISTRICT COURT IS IN LINE FOR CHOP

BUSINESSES in Killorglin are being urged to make it clearly known of how much value the local district courthouse is to the town as fears heighten over its future.

Killorglin District Court was identified by the Court Service as a potential venue for closure following a cost-cutting review of courthouses nationwide that was initiated in 2012. A detailed assessment of all courthouses targeted by the review in Kerry was completed in 2013, but never formally advanced to conclusion.

But it’s now back in the firing line as the Government seeks to progress the findings of the nationwide reviews. The Court Service is anxious to discuss the potential closure one last time with the local community in what could represent a stay of execution, however. To that end a new public consultation process on the future of Killorglin court will begin in the next two months and businesses are being urged to engage fully with the process in the interest of keeping the court house.

“The Court service in Killorglin plays a vital role in the community and there is great opposition from the users of the service and also the general public and it is imperative that the court service remains in Killorglin,” Independent TD Michael Healy Rae told the Dáil this week.

His comments came after he was informed by Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald the Court Service plans to consult further with interested parties on its future. “The assessments undertaken (in 2013) were informed by a consultation process with local public representatives, solicitor firms and a range of other interested parties and the final decision in relation to the closure of any venue is a matter for the Board of the Courts Service. Following this review Killorglin courthouse was identified as a venue which could be considered for closure subject to a detailed assessment and the preparation of a business case,” the Minister said.