An irate District Court Judge Thomas Fitzpatrick has stated that he will not be hearing any contested or family law cases in the "atrocious conditions of Falcarragh District Court" in Co Donegal.
Solicitor P.A. Dorrian urged the judge not to sit in Falcarragh District Court until such time as appropriate courtroom conditions were made available to them.
"There are numerous other premises that the Court Services could avail of in Gortahork, Falcarragh and Dunfanaghy.
"This room could be in breach of fire and safety regulations," he said of the overcrowded court room.
The judge replied that should there be a fire in the courtroom his only course of action would be to exit via the window behind him.
Judge Fitzpatrick continued, saying that it was a downright insult to the court to have to sit in these conditions which he deemed an unsuitable working environment.
He said that the problem seemed to be more prevalent in north Donegal where, "once you go through the Barnesmore Gap you are in cowboy country".
"The local community should make a complaint to the Court Services.
"As it stands they are not listening to judges, court registrars, solicitors or prosecutors.
"They are ignoring the problems and hoping that someone like me will sort it for them.
"It is a very large county with a very large workload.
"It requires two permanent judges.
"Up to the 1960s there were two judges here and now, when they are absolutely necessary, we cannot get them," the judge said.
Peter Nolan BL then moved to have a case struck out, without prejudice, saying that should the court wish to re-enter the case they knew where they would go, indicating the High Court.
Judge Fitzpatrick indicated that he would like to see staff of the Court Services sitting in the courtroom in Falcarragh, instead of in "their ivory towers".
"I assume they wouldn't do it. There would be a nationwide strike," he said.