Battle to get Circuit Court return to town
THE opening of the new court facilitiesin Drogheda is an enormous boost for the town and can act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the Narrow West Street & Old Abbey area, Senator Ged Nash has said.
Senator Nash said, “In 2012, I secured a funding commitment from Brendan Howlin to develop badly needed courts facilities for Drogheda. I am proud to say that this is the first of seven projects announced then that has been opened.
“We made sure that the facilities are of such a standard that will allow for sittings of the Circuit and High Courts to take place in Drogheda and I am pleased that the Chief Justice recognised that in her remarks on the day.’
“These modern new facilities should also be seen in the context of the wider redevelopment of the west end of Drogheda and the Council is developing a framework to support this ambition.”
Fianna Fail PRO for South Louth and East Meath Anthony Moore, himself a practising barrister, said the building was very welcome as the town lacked such a facility for years.
‘ This new state of the art building means that those days are over. It is a fine addition to the architecture of the town and its presence is in keeping with our status as the biggest town in Ireland.
‘In my view, perhaps the most important development on the day was when we heard the Chief Justice say from the bench that she was hopeful not only that the Circuit Court would return to sit here, but also that the High Court and Court of Appeal would follow suit.
‘If that happened, it would be a huge boost to the town. In the light of the Chief Justice’s comments, we must now re-double our efforts to have the Circuit Court return to regular sittings in Drogheda after nearly 30 years. It would be a great boost to the town and hugely convenient for those using it.”