The Courts Service says it is to inspect the courthouse in Castleisland, Co Kerry, over "bad acoustics" after a judge last week threatened to move the monthly sitting to Tralee. It is one of a number of courts in Kerry where there are ongoing problems with noise and structural facilities.
Acoustics have been an ongoing problem, with witnesses barely audible over the noise from the door well and a creaking wooden floor. Judge James O'Connor said it was the same problem each month and he would have to do something, such as shifting the court to Tralee.
A number of other courthouses in Kerry also have been the subject of complaint from solicitors and judges. These include Listowel Courthouse and Tralee District Court. In Killarney, where an extension is needed, rainwater is now pouring in through the roof of the consulting rooms leading into the court.
The problem with Castleisland is particularly acute, given that the town has no proper Garda station, local Fine Gael councillor Bobby O'Connell said.
Plans by Kerry County Council for a new courthouse and library are in train. However, the present buildings for the courts and the Garda "are completely antiquated", Mr O'Connell said.
The Courts Service was "aware of the issue of bad acoustics in Castleisland court and had arranged an inspection of the premises with a view to taking remedial steps to have it addressed as soon as possible", Courts Service spokesman Gerry Curran said.
Meanwhile, statistics obtained by a local councillor Anne McEllistrim (FF) show Garda referrals for juvenile offenders for Castleisland, which has a population of 3,200, are high compared with other parts of the county.
There were 103 public assaults in Castleisland in 2005 and 54 juvenile referrals.