Refurbishment of former Wicklow courthouse now unclear after major exclusion
The Wicklow PeopleRefurbishment works at the former Wicklow District Courthouse in Wicklow town have not been included in the revised National Development Plan (NDP), leaving the future of the public building unclear.
Under the original 2021–2030 NDP, Wicklow had been identified as a priority location for new or refurbished court facilities, including the refurbishment of Wicklow District Courthouse and the delivery of a new courthouse in Bray.
However, after the subsequent review of the plan in late 2025, Wicklow has now been removed from the Justice Sectoral Investment Plan, which is part of the revised NDP.
The move comes despite the Courts Service formally including Wicklow Courthouse in its submission to Government during last year’s NDP review.
In 2024, the Office of Public Works commissioned a high-level feasibility study into the potential reuse of the courthouse.
That report placed the cost of full restoration at between €13 million and €17 million.
At the same time, the Courts Service was warned that unless a full restoration takes place soon, the spread of dry rot cannot be halted, threatening the survival of the structure.
The former courthouse has stood vacant since 2010 and is now being left in an ongoing state of dereliction, placing its future redevelopment at greater risk.
Following a request for comment, Wicklow County Council officials said, “they will not be providing a response at this time”.
Responding to the development Wicklow TD John Brady said the move is nothing short of a disgrace.
“Wicklow was promised investment, Wicklow was prioritised, and then Wicklow was simply written out of the plan.
“That is not an oversight, it is a political decision, and one that has real consequences for this county and Wicklow town.”
Deputy Brady believes the consequences of this decision are severe.
“This is a protected structure, meaning the Government’s inaction is not just negligent, it is placing a key piece of Wicklow’s architectural and civic heritage in danger while also keeping the landmark building in Market Square in Wicklow town derelict, which has a negative impact on the vibrancy of the town.
“This building is rotting before our eyes, it’s costing hundreds of thousands of euros to keep the heating on and carrying out maintenance work on the derelict building to stop it deteriorating further.
“However, the longer the Government delays, the more expensive and difficult restoration becomes.
“This is what happens when political decisions are made with no regard for local communities. Waiting at least another five years for funding to refurbish the courthouse is totally unacceptable.”
Deputy Brady says the lack of action and conduct from Tánaiste Simon Harris is unacceptable.
“Following the review of the National Development Plan, Simon Harris was quick to re-announce, again, the long-overdue funding for the refurbishment of Greystones Garda Station, yet he has remained completely silent on the political decision taken by his own Government to remove Wicklow District Courthouse entirely from the plan.”