Donegal Town courthouse closure due to health and safety 'should not be occurring'

A call has been made to bring Donegal Town Courthouse up to scratch, following the announcement that it will be closed due to health and safety concerns. 

The Courts Service were advised by the Office of Public Works (OPW) that Donegal Courthouse is no longer safe for public use, with services being relocated to Ballyshannon Courthouse until further notice.

Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher TD has called on the Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, through the Courts Service, to immediately commit to bringing Donegal Town Court House to the highest standards for safety and for a place of work for all who use it while at work. 

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“While the actual building is owned by Donegal County Council it has long been used as a courthouse,” he said. “Regrettably, jury trials have not taken place in Donegal Town since post-Covid due to the decline of the state of the building. 

“The present situation, whereby the courthouse has temporarily closed upon the advice of the OPW due to health and safety, is incredible, and should not be occurring in these modern times we find ourselves in.

“For too long, the issue of an upgrade for Donegal Town has been delayed and stalled. A partnership approach with all bodies - the OPW, Department of Justice, as tenants involving Court services and Donegal County Council as landlords needs to immediately resolve the issues and sort out the court building without delay. 

Deputy Gallagher is requesting that the Minister publicly commit to the long-term future of the Court in Donegal Town, that he furthermore put in train the plans necessary for a full upgrade and revamp, while in the interim, commit to the repairs that will make the courthouse operational once again.

“Court services are already under pressure for listing, and having to close one of the county’s courthouses is going to further aggravate those delays and impact on service delivery,” he added. “Donegal Town has had a long history of court service; this needs to be safeguarded and the necessary improvements carried out, while plans pare ut in place for a full refurbishment.”

The courts service issued a statement saying: "From 1 October 2025, all court sittings scheduled for Donegal Courthouse will take place in Ballyshannon Courthouse.

"The Courts Service have recently been advised by the Office of Public Works (OPW) that, due to Health and Safety concerns with Donegal Courthouse, it is no longer safe for public use.

"The OPW have confirmed that they have organised for a full building condition survey to be carried out. Following receipt of the full building condition survey report, the Courts Service will consider next steps.”