Backlog at Wicklow courthouse after Storm Chandra hits travel and communications – ‘It took me four hours to get from Arklow to Bray’
The Wicklow PeopleSevere weather linked to Storm Chandra, including strong winds, heavy rain and flooding, caused travel disruption and operational challenges at Bray Courthouse today, with sittings of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court and Bray District Court delayed and jury members and defendants affected.
The N11 at Kilmacanogue ground to a halt due to flooding, with the AA reporting the road closed at approximately 9am.
A sentencing for two brothers, Michael and Larry Connors, both of no fixed abode, was adjourned with the judge explaining to both men that they would be returned to Cloverhill Prison due to their legal teams being stuck in traffic all morning.
Numerous cases at both court levels were impacted, with legal professionals unable to attend due to weather-related issues.
One barrister reported that his client, who was due to be arraigned at the Circuit Court, was unable to make it as parts of Arklow had also flooded, leaving the main road into the town impassable.
Arklow-based solicitor Paraic Hyland said: “It took me four hours to get from Arklow to Bray.”
Judge David Kennedy was forced to adjourn the majority of his family law list, while Judge Patrick Quinn sent a jury home, instructing them to return tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28, to begin a trial.
Further disruption was caused by mechanical issues with the video link between Cloverhill Prison and the courthouse, prompting Judge Kennedy to remark on whether the weather had also impacted phone lines.