Court closures ‘a scandal’ says Castlebar solicitor

FINAL SITTING?The District Court will no longer sit in Swinford after next Friday.

Court closures ‘a scandal’ says Castlebar solicitor


Swinford to hold last sitting this Friday

Ciara Galvin

A Castlebar solicitor has deemed the closure of Ballyhaunis and Swinford court as ‘nothing short of a scandal’.
In the wake of last week’s closure of Ballyhaunis court, Mayo is facing another cut to its court services, with the closure of Swinford District Court this Friday.
Castlebar Solicitor John Geary said ‘effective justice should be administered in the local area the crimes are committed’.
Speaking in relation to the closures, Mr Geary who is editor of ‘The Parchment’ - the quarterly magazine of the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association spoke out strongly stating:
“The current closure of courthouses around Ireland is nothing short of a scandal as the axe appears to be falling on another long list of venues drawn up by the Department of Justice.”
The solicitor, who has worked from Swinford District Court throughout his career said, “Effective justice should be administered in the local area where crimes are committed and not centralised to facilitate the smooth running of administration in a cost-cutting smokescreen exercise.”
There was apparent confusion at the final sitting of Ballyhaunis court last week as it emerged that the sitting would unexpectedly be the last ever.
The decision on the closure was made by the Board of the Court Services the previous night (Monday, July 1).
Speaking about the decision, Gerry Curran of the Court Service said ‘the court service was contacted and all interested parties were then notified at the earliest opportunity’ following the decision.
It is understood that no official word on the closure of Ballyhaunis or Swinford had been passed down to the District Court Office in Castlebar on Tuesday morning last.
Judge Mary Devins expressed her disdain on hearing the court’s fate at the eleventh hour stating that it was a basic lack of respect for the District Court.
The last sitting of Swinford District Court is set to take place this Friday.