1996/99
For up to date news visit the Connaught Telegraph website.
Days are numbered for Mayo's rural courthouses
18 February 1998
By Tom Kelly
Mayo's rural courthouses could be shut down within the next two years in a major overhaul of court services.
Controversial legislation being drafted by the Government will transfer the ownership of all courthouses in the county from Mayo County Council to a new independent board under the control of a Chief Executive Officer.
One of key functions of the board is to ensure that all courthouses are upgraded to an acceptable standard with special accommodation being provided for consultation rooms and private family laws cases.
But there are growing fears the new board will not have the funding to refurbish all the existing courthouses and may place many of them on the property market.
Senator Paddy Bourke raised his concerns on the matter during a debate on the Court Services Bill in the Seanad.
"It is obvious that many of the existing courthouses in Mayo's smaller towns and villages will be shut down and auctioned off.
"It appears that the court services will be centralised to Castlebar, Ballina and Westport.
"I don't think that would be a positive step and I would be very concerned that many of our courthouses would no longer be held in public ownership."
Senator Burke is also seeking urgent clarification if the proposed £3m. overhaul of the Courthouse in Castlebar will be placed in jeopardy by the move.
