Courtsystem thrown into chaos

October 1991

THE court system in Wicklow has been thrown into chaos this week when members of the Civil and Public Service Union, who are currently on strike, were backed up by local solicitors who were not willing to go ahead with many cases listed for Tuesday’s District Court sitting.

The nationwide dispute escalated this week when the Department of Justice failed to meet the demands of the union. Locally, court staff employed in Wicklow courthouse placed pickets on the building this week.

Just before Wicklow Court got under way, Solicitor Gabriel Haughton said that as a senior member of the bar he wanted to point out that local solicitors were anxious to support the clerical workers in the dispute.

‘We feel it regrettable that matters have been allowed to deteriorate to the present situation and we would urge all parties involved to re-double their efforts to find a resolution,’ he said.

The solicitors present in court sought adjournments on almost every case that came up and as a result the court was finished within an hour.