At Kanturk District Court yesterday it was so cold that Judge Joseph Mangan brought a thermometer into court and announced that the ambient temperature was 58F. This was five degrees below the temperature specified under the Factories Act.
Judge Mangan said it was far too cold and uncomfortable for the people appearing before him.
He therefore adjourned all cases until today to see if the heating system could be rectified.
The imposing 19th-century cutstone court house is in urgent need of renovation. Last year Judge Michael Patwell refused to appear there when rodent droppings were found near the courthouse.