Greater sense of urgency needed by Government to get Wicklow courthouse reopened – Brady

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow John Brady has said that much greater urgency by Government is required if Wicklow courthouse is to reopen.

Speaking having sought an update from the Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan, Teachta Brady commented:

“I have been saying for a very long time that the reopening of Wicklow courthouse is of huge importance to the continued success of the town. Despite this, works are moving at an incredibly slow pace.

“In seeking an update from Minister Flanagan, I was disappointed to learn that no detailed planning or design work has commenced. The objective is to extend and refurbish the courthouse in Wicklow town to provide a significantly larger 4 courtroom venue together with a range of facilities for staff, the judiciary, jurors, legal profession, other state agencies and members of the public.

“The Courts Service has purchased a number of adjacent properties to the Courthouse, some of which will be demolished in order to create a larger site capable of accommodating a courthouse building on the scale envisaged. The demolition works are due to be carried out this year.

“We need to see the reopening of the courthouse as much more of a priority for Government. Its continued closure is impacting on the town and is having serious knock-on effects for the rest of the town. I am calling on Minister Flanagan to set out a clear timeframe for the works and an estimated time as to when it is envisaged for the courthouse to open.”