Laois TD vows to deliver new Portlaoise Courthouse as project overlooked for funding

A Laois TD has vowed to have a new Portlaoise Courthouse built after it was overlooked in the latest National Development Plan 2026 to 2030 announcement.  

“It is my job to make sure that I get it built. I won’t stop,” insisted Fine Gael TD Willie Aird.    

In 2020, the Courts Service purchased a site at Kylekiproe in Portlaoise for a new courthouse to replace the existing building which was constructed on the Main Street in Portlaoise in 1782. 

The Office of Public Works(OPW) has responsibility for the construction of the new courthouse but the project, which is in the National Development Plan(NDP), wasn’t included in the OPW’s sectoral NDP funding for 2026 to 2030 announced on Thursday. 

It is widely acknowledged that the existing Portlaoise Courthouse is no longer suitable to deal with the volume of business in Portlaoise and there have been complaints in relation to anti-social behaviour outside the building, a lack of holding cells, security concerns and parking on the main street in recent years. 

The courthouse building also had a rodent infestation which was discovered when a rodent crawled into a courtroom while Judge Andrew Cody was sitting in the district court in June of 2024. The Court Service issued an apology and pest controllers were called in after the incident. The building’s wiring then had to be examined over concerns that it may have been gnawed by rodents which could have led to fire and electrical safety hazards. 

READ ALSO: Portlaoise Courthouse 'crisis' laid bare in F.O.I documents

In February this year, a convicted murderer succeeded in having his trial over an alleged assault and threat to kill a prison officer moved from the courthouse due to security concerns at the aging court building.  

READ MORE: Trial moved over courthouse security fears

Deputy Aird brought a deputation from Portlaoise to meet with Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan to emphasise the need for a new building in the past fortnight. Together with a business representative, a legal representative and a local authority official, Deputy Aird stressed the urgent need for a new courthouse in Portlaoise.

Dep Aird believes Portlaoise, as the location of Ireland’s largest prison with over 1,000 inmates as well as the highest security prison in Ireland, is unique in its need for a modern courthouse.  

“There is a huge amount of money in government at the moment and they are supposed to be spending it on things like this,” said Dep Aird.  

“I will be bringing it up next week with Boxer(Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW Kevin ‘Boxer Moran)” said Dep Aird. 

He pointed to the new site and said plans from other completed new courthouses could be used for Portlaoise. He said the government has funds and the site is available.   

Laois Fianna Fail TD  Sean Fleming said: “I am disappointed that the new courthouse for Portlaoise that is badly needed had not being given the go ahead for construction at this stage.”

He has also raised the issue with the Minister for Justice and the Taoiseach.  

“I have spoken directly with Minister Jim O’Callaghan and the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin T.D. in recent days about the urgent need for the new courthouse.  I have asked for a commitment that planning for this project commences as soon as possible so that it can proceed to tendering and construction at the first available opportunity,” said Deputy Fleming. 

“As a T.D. for Laois I know it is very important to move the Courthouse from the Main Street in Portlaoise to its new location and I will continue to work on this until we achieve progress,” he  stated.