Courthouse interior adapted as trials set to return to Sligo
A SLIGO solicitor has welcomed the news that jury trials will be coming back to Sligo.
Tom MacSharry, who is also a county councillor, said it was great news at a time of considerable uncertainty in the region.
He said that recent work done on Sligo Courthouse, pictured right, including the erection of screens, was bringing it up to the level required to host jury trials.
There will be no jury trials next week because of the current situation, but they will return at a more suitable time which is welcome news for the town.
MacSharry said: “Certain works had to be undertaken and these were assessed at a meeting between the Courts Services, the OPW and
Sligo County Council and permission was granted by Sligo County Council for those works to be carried out.
“They are ongoing at the moment, and screens are being erected and other works being carried out that will make the courthouse suitable to accommodate jury trials. “Permission was given for an exempted development for internal works at the courthouse and this was issued in December.
The solicitor said the news came after intense consultation between the Courts Services nationally and locally.
There had been dismay and frustration among the public, law practitioners, the gardai and the judiciary when it was mooted that jury trials for Sligo would be moved to Tullamore and Mullingar. Mr MacSharry paid tribute to the massive pressure applied locally by the Solicitors Bar Association and the service users as well. He thanked Sligo County Council in conjunction with the Heritage Office and the planning staff for the work to ensure that the trials stayed in Sligo.
“I would like to pay tribute to all of those involved who worked so hard to make sure that a very important part of the legal system locally would be preserved and also to the support of the judiciary.
“It is understood that the plan from the Courts Service nationally was to empanel juries at suitable different venues and then transport them to the court.
“I want to thank the Courts Services locally, the services users, Sligo County Council and all others involved.”
“It would have been a devastating blow to Sligo had we lost the jury trials, given that we lost the proposed new garda station building. “It was very important that we took a stand on this issue,” he added.