EDITORIAL: Leaving heritage buildings vacant in Tipperary would be a pity
The recent decision to move court services from Carrick-on-Suir and Cashel Courthouses to Clonmel has made local representatives speak out in opposition of the decision.
News broke last week that court services in two Tipperary towns were going to be moved to Clonmel courthouse, leaving heritage buildings vacant in the town.
District Judge Brian O’Shea has requested that court services be moved from Cashel and Carrick-on-Suir courthouses, for a number of reasons. The reasons court services need to be moved, says the judge, are due to the inadequate infrastructure in both courthouses, which ‘undermines the safety and dignity of those who appear before the court and stands in stark contrast to the basic requirements of a functioning, modern judicial system’.
Other reasons cited in relation to the Cashel Courthouse specifically, include public toilets being extremely unhygienic, chronic damp, and cramped waiting spaces. The judge mentions that superficial attempts at improvement, such as painting over damp or laying carpets did nothing to address the underlying problems.
It was pointed out by Sinn Fein councillors Cllr David Dunne and Cllr Annemarie Ryan, that the decision to close these courthouses will reduce and downgrade the status of both towns.
Local public representatives have strongly criticized the decision.
They worry that the closure of the courthouses in Cashel and Carrick-on-Suir will cause a decline in business in both towns. Those attending hearings at the court may also have to use public transport if they are not from Clonmel, which could cause delays to proceedings in the future, if transport is not readily available or reliable. The decision may cause people to make round trips also.
It will not just have an effect on businesses and defendants however, as Gardaí and solicitors will have to travel from these towns to Clonmel.
While judge O’shea has made a very valid case, that the courthouses are not up to standard and are clearly in disrepair, moving the services to another court may not be the best option.
One other solution to this problem would be to invest in the upgrade and repair of these courthouses, allowing them to be brought up to an adequate standard.
If services are moved and the current courthouses in these towns left idle, they could fall into even more disrepair and it would be a pity to see once important buildings left to rot.