Cllr Anne Marie Ryan(Independent) says she is disappointed at the response from the Court Service as regards restoring sittings of the District Court in Tipperary Town. At today’s meeting of the Municipal District Council it was revealed that the Courts service says it cannot return to Tipperary as there is no suitable premises available.
The existing court house building, (built in 1830) on St Michael Street which has had some repairs over the last 2 years including a new roof, was used for Court Sittings until 2010. At that time a ceiling partially collapsed and the sittings were then moved to the Tipperary Excel Centre on Mitchell Street.
The Court Service says this venue is not adequate as it does not have the facilities available in Nenagh Court House such as video link facilities, custody cells and consulting space for members of the public. The Court Service says holding sittings at the Excel is also difficult as it does not have holding cells or entrances that allow for a route for a person in custody to enter in a suitable manner. As the Court Service does not own the property it says there are difficulties in checking emergency equipment and the addition of locks on door ways.
In the early stages of the Pandemic in 2020 it was decided to move the sitting to Nenagh Court due to existing health and Safety protocols. The same judge sits in Nenagh as both Courts serve District Court Area 8.
Cllr Ryan acknowledged that the Judge facilitates cases from Tipperary town being later in the day to take into account difficulties in travelling to Nenagh via public transport and the distance involved. However she proposed, and it was agreed that the council would request again that the Court Service do whatever was necessary to restore sittings of the District Court to the town. Cllr Ryan says the Municipal District needs to put pressure on the Courts Service to find a property solution. The proposal was seconded by Cllr John Crosse(Fine Gael).
The Court Service says a national review of the Court Service properties is ongoing
and that it will look at Tipperary venues as part of the review.
