Delay in completion of Cork courthouse due to shortage of trades people

Work on the new €34 million Anglesea Street Courthouse complex in Cork is expected to be completed by the end of March after a shortage of trades people led to delays in construction.

The refurbishment of the Anglesea Street Courthouse, which will deal solely with criminal cases, was started in July 2015 and was originally due to be completed by December last.

But the refurbishment, carried out in a joint Public Private Partnership with construction firm BAM, is instead now likely to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2018.

The Irish Times understands the over run on the project is due primarily to a shortage of trades people, in particular electricians, due to a sudden upturn in the construction industry in Ireland.

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Under the PPI deal, the Courts Service is to lease the building from BAM for 25 years, paying a charge each month until the lease agreement expires and the building reverts to public ownership.

Under the deal, BAM carries the cost of any delays in the construction and the Courts Service does not begin paying the unitary charge until the building is completed and ready for use.

The Anglesea Street Courthouse refurbishment is one of seven such projects being undertaken by the Courts Service in conjunction with BAM in a total investment worth €135 million.

A Courts Service spokesman said the seven projects in Cork, Letterkenny, Wexford, Limerick, Mullingar, Drogheda and Waterford indicated the service's commitment to the regions.

“The investment in these seven projects is the largest single investment in regional court structures in the history of the state. These projects will bring world class court facilities to each city and town.

“Each new courthouse will be of a standard befitting the serious nature of the business conducted there, and respectful of the dignity of the people called upon to appear in court in any capacity.”

Landmark

The Anglesea Street Courthouse refurbishment will involve an expansion of the existing landmark building to include six courtrooms and improved custody cells.

The new courthouse, formerly the Model School built in 1865 in an Italianate style, will also house court offices as well as the Regional Office of the Irish Court Service and associated facilities.

The Courts Service said the facilities in the old Anglesea Street Courthouse were not fit for purpose with very few facilities for court users as well as poor cell facilities for holding prisoners.

Prisoners had to be moved through public areas when appearing in court while office space in the old building was also limited and not suitable to the needs of a modern court service.

The new Anglesea Street Courthouse will provide video conferencing so prisoners can appear by video link and children and vulnerable witnesses can give evidence by video link.

The new courthouse will also include digital recording and allow for the electronic display of evidence as well as providing better consultation rooms, waiting areas and a media room.

It will also have improved security facilities for the safe custody of prisoners as well as improved accommodation with greater privacy victims and witnesses and their families.