Courts / Tipperary / Report

High Court action over historic courthouse

Summary

In March 2014 the High Court was set to decide an action brought by solicitors from Tipperary Town against the Courts Service. The lawyers argued that the Courts Service has a statutory duty under the Court Services Act 1998 to maintain and make available the historic courthouse on St Michael Street, a listed building that closed in 2010 after falling into disrepair. The building's ceiling had collapsed and, since its closure, district court sittings have been held at the Excel Heritage Centre and circuit court sittings in Clonmel, some 25 miles away. The solicitors claimed the closure caused hardship and that the Courts Service had failed to repair the courthouse despite earlier agreements to do so. The Courts Service denied any breach of duty, stating it had sought funding but was constrained by budget cuts. Judgment was reserved and was to be delivered the following month. The courthouse, which once housed a prison, has a long history of notable trials.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: High Court action over historic courthouse. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 2014-03-26 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

• Six years for man who killed his friend after night of 'excess'
• 'No one knows what happened': man who claimed friend had 'gone crazy' accepts culpability for killing
• Trial date set for man accused of murdering pensioner in Tipperary
• Seven year jail term for man who tried to import over €1.2m worth of cocaine
• 'Mr Moonlight' murder conviction stands
• Delaney rejects claims he is trying to hinder ODCE investigation

Read the original CNI report