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As the Bridewell on Chancery Street and the Special Criminal Court on Green Street close to criminal cases, thoughts turn to the trials prosecuted there and the people who took part

THIS WEEK DUBLIN District Court starts hearing criminal cases in the new Criminal Court Complex at Phoenix Park. On December 18th the Special Criminal Court hears its last criminal case, and next month will sit in the new building. This means that over the next two weeks the Bridewell courthouse on Chancery Street at the back of the Four Courts, and the Special Criminal Court on Green Street, will both close for criminal cases, bringing to an end two eras in Irish criminal justice, though the High Court will sit in them.