Courthouse will be ‘part of the cultural heritage of Drogheda’

DROGHEDA’S landmark multimillion euro new courthouse is destined to become ‘part of the cultural heritage of the people of Drogheda’ the Chief Justice of Ireland has said.

Presiding at the official opening of the state of the art new building, the Hon Mrs Justice Susan Denham congratulated the project team and all those associated with the planning and delivery of the courthouse on creating a centre that ‘ meets the needs of modern society’.

The Drogheda facility is the first of seven courthouses being provided as part of a €140m nationwide public private partnership in what is the largest capital building project ever undertaken by the Courts Service.

Speaking at the official opening on Monday, the Hon Mrs Justice Susan Denham, Chief Justice of Ireland, said the new courthouse: ‘Is not just a utilitarian and service need, but is a building which is destined to be part of the cultural heritage of the people of Drogheda’.

She said the inclusion of the jury courtroom in the facility will allow the Courts Service and the Judicary the possibility of locating future Circuit Court trials here.

IN addition, Justice Denham said she anticipates that the High Court may also avail of the new courthouse.

Drogheda District Court is scheduled to sit in the new courthouse eight days per month.

She said the new courthouse project presented an opportunity to contribute to the regeneration of the river corridor and to enhance the civic realm in this historically significant town.

‘ The building form is derived from a contemporary interpretation of the traditional portico, a familiar feature of many public buildings in Ireland,’ she said. ‘ The vertical limestone ‘colonnade’ elevation treatment to the east and south, are a fine example of modern architecture,’ she said.

‘ This new building, together with the high quality limestone finishes throughout, ensures Drogheda Courthouse will become an intrinsic part of the Drogheda town fabric for generations to come.

The new building is universally accessible for public and staff.