Solicitors strike over 'bingo hall' courthouse

Solicitors in Drogheda, Co Louth, staged a walkout this morning in protest at the condition of the District Court building, which…

Solicitors in Drogheda, Co Louth, staged a walkout this morning in protest at the condition of the District Court building, which doubles as a bingo hall.

With 700 cases listed, solicitors in St Mary's Bingo Hall downed tools and staged a walkout in protest at the "unacceptable situation", a statement from the Drogheda Solicitors' Association said.

Drogheda is one of the largest provincial towns in the State, but it has been using the hall as a District Court for the last 12 years.

"The administration of justice in such sub-standard accommodation has led to such farcical situation as solicitors consulting with their clients in the public toilets," the statement said.

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The association says the situation in Drogheda does not seem to be a priority despite an investment of €100 million by the Courts Service on upgrading buildings in the past three years.

"The members of the Drogheda Solicitors' Association face another winter of discontent with the prospect of carrying out their work in a cold damp building that is ill-equipped and lacking the most basic facilities," the statement added.

Patrick  Logue

Patrick Logue

Patrick Logue is Digital Editor of The Irish Times