This article is from page 7 of the 2006-03-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 7 JPG
THE Courts Service has moved to dispel any concerns about the future of court sittings in north Clare.
A spokesperson for the service has said that steps are been taken to find a more suitable venue than than the Teach Ceol premises in Ennistymon, used for district court sittings for more than a decade.
Last week, The Clare People revealed that District Court Judge Joseph Mangan might refuse to sit in Ennistymon after September.
The judge cited cold conditions and poor acoustics as his reasons for his statement.
He said his court sitting at the Teach Ceol in September might be his last and an alternative venue would be required.
“The Courts Service is very aware of the limited facilities available to the court in Ennistymon.
“Court officials are actively involved in securing alternative and improved facilities for the court sittings.
“The regional manager and the chief court clerk for the district have visited several locations in this regard and have made efforts such as contacting the county council and different groups and auctioneers in the area, to see if facilities are available,” said the spokesman.
He said that, currently, there didn’t seem to be “any suitable venue available,” adding that the Courts Service was open to suggestions.
“We will consult with Clare court users in the coming weeks,” he added.
He stressed that this was not part of a plan to move all of the rural courts into the newly-renovated courthouse in Ennis, where both the Ennis and Shannon court sittings currently take place.