by Nicola Donnelly
Acting Editor

DUNSHAUGHLIN may lose its three-monthly court sittings after the presiding judge announced the courthouse facilities are “totally unsuitable.”
Judge Tom Fitzpatrick made the unofficial announcement at last Tuesday’s (March 24) sitting of Dunshaughlin District Court that the service may be moved to Navan by September 1.
He said that due to Dunshaughlin Courthouse being a “totally unsuitable premises to hold a court in.”
“It is a health and safety hazard, a fire hazard and has no proper facilities for the presiding judge,” said Judge Fitzpatrick.
He said that he had hoped to move the three monthly sittings to Navan Courthouse by September 1.
According to a spokesperson for The Circuit and District Courts Operations Directorate, there are no current plans to refurbish Dunshaughlin Courthouse.
“Because of the nature of the building it would be difficult to refurbish or extend it and bring it up to the standard required.
“There are discussions taking place at the moment in relation to transferring Dunshaughlin Court to elsewhere,” the spokesperson confirmed.