A decision by the Courts Service to end court sittings at Shannon for the foreseeable future was yesterday condemned by the Shannon Town Mayor, Mr Seán Hillery (FF).
Over the past number of years, court sittings at Shannon have been held in a local community hall. Last March, the local justice, Judge Joseph Mangan, adjourned a sitting after it became too cold in the hall.
Court sittings at Shannon have recently been affected by inadequate seating, poor acoustics and a lack of facilities for solicitors to consult with clients.
With today's re-opening of the 19th-century Ennis courthouse building after a two-year, €10 million renovation, the Shannon court has been transferred to Ennis for at least the next two years until alternative accommodation is identified in Shannon. The first Shannon court is to be held in Ennis later today.
Mr Hillery said: "I am very disappointed. Shannon is Clare's second town and it is a blow to its status and we will be trying our best to correct the situation."
Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) also condemned the move. She said: "I am extremely concerned and disappointed. It does appear to be a drastic reaction. The loss of the service will lead to a cost and inconvenience for people in the area now having to go to Ennis. It is not good enough."
Clare County Council is seeking to develop new civic buildings in Shannon, and the Courts Service has expressed an interest in locating the district court in the proposed building.
However, Cllr McCarthy said it may take five years to complete the new building. During renovations the Ennis court was held in a local GAA club.
The president of the Clare Law Association, Mr Niall McDonagh, welcomed the courthouse refurbishment. "It is the pre-eminent building of architectural significance in Clare and we are particularly pleased that the original courtrooms that have been there for 150 years have been preserved with some modifications to provide for access for the disabled."
