Bord Pleanála approves Ballina CPO

Ballinrobe court sittings causing inconvenience – Ring


Michael Commins

MAYO TD Michael Ring claims the transfer of court sittings from Ballinrobe to Castlebar is causing great inconvenience for the people of Ballinrobe and hinterland. The Westport deputy says the resumption of court sittings in Ballinrobe looks anything but promising in light of a reply he received from the Court Service last week.
The decision to withdraw services from Ballinrobe and move the court sittings to Castlebar received widespread publicity some months ago. It was made as a result of concerns raised by Judge Mary Devins in relation to “security” concerns.
Deputy Ring said several constituents had raised the matter with him and he had contacted the Court Service over the future use of the Ballinrobe Courthouse.
He received the following reply: “The Courts Service has a Capital Building Programme underway throughout the country. County towns and larger court venues that are operational five days a week and which accommodate High, Circuit and District Court sittings and the Circuit and District Court Offices are getting priority.
“Court sittings in Ballinrobe normally take place one day a month. At the moment the facilities in Ballinrobe are not conducive to security and Court user needs. This has resulted in the temporary transfer of Court business to Castlebar - which has had a multi-million refurbishment completed over the past few years.
“The District Court in Ballinrobe is sitting in Castlebar Courthouse on the third Friday of the month (except August). Due to the current economic downturn the Courts Service has had to review its building programme.
“Given the recent changes in the economic environment and the decline in public finances the Courts Service is undertaking a major organisational review with a view to increasing its
capacity to provide a more efficient and effective service to its customers.”
Deputy Ring says he is greatly dissatisfied with the response. “The reply is a huge disappointment. Really it looks like the Courthouse in Ballinrobe will not be in use for a long time. The transfer of court business to Castlebar greatly inconveniences the people of Ballinrobe who have now to travel there.”