A district court judge has refused to hold any further sittings in Belmullet Courthouse because of its sub-standard facilities. Judge Mary Devins announced yesterday that because of the poor facilities cases will be heard instead in Ballycroy Courthouse some 20 miles away.
For many years there have been complaints from judges, solicitors and gardai about the facilities in Belmullet, with no private chambers for the judge, who must arrive at the courthouse in court attire, and enter the building through the front door alongside members of the public.
There are no facilities for legal teams to consult their clients in private. The maintenance of courthouses is the responsibility of the newly established courts service.
Mr Pat O'Connor, a solicitor member of the Courts Service Board, said there are plans to provide a purpose-built courthouse in Belmullet. In the meantime, he said, with the present facilities totally inadequate, an effort will be made to find alternative accommodation for court sittings in the north Mayo town.