New €140m courts complex ready for first case
Ireland’s new €140m criminal courts complex will handle up to quarter of million cases a year after it opens on Wednesday, it was revealed today.
Victims of crimes will be segregated from prisoners and juries at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin, which officials maintain will give security, privacy and dignity to everyone involved in a case.
The impressive glass landmark, near the entrance to the Phoenix Park, is 11 storeys high and houses 22 courtrooms.
Cases currently brought before the district, circuit, central criminal, special criminal and appeal courts will be transferred to the new facility – which will have its first case on Wednesday.
Brendan Ryan, chief executive of the Courts Service, said the new Criminal Courts of Justice will be the centre of criminal business for Ireland.
“It is the first State building of such monumental proportions to be built since 1796 – when the Four Courts were first brought into operation,” said Mr Ryan.
The Courts Service estimates the building of the Four Courts – which will now be used for civil and High Court cases – would be €124m in today’s money.
It maintained the multi-million euro investment in the new circular shaped building is five times more than any other facility since the foundation of the State.
The Court Service said it has been designed to cater for the needs of prisoners, victims of crime, witnesses, jurors and staff.
Private suites built for victims include a colourful child-friendly room with a video link for young people who have to give evidence.
Meanwhile, court rooms are fitted with consultation rooms and video links to transmit cases that attract a lot of public interest to an overflow area.
Mr Ryan revealed civilians have also been trained to act as the go-between with officials and jurors, freeing up gardaí who currently take the role.
“Once a juror comes in here and goes to the jury reception room in the morning they stay sequestered and segregated from the rest of the public in this building and they won’t come into contact with anybody unless in a court room,” he added.
“The jury minders will be civilians, garda cleared and trained. They will be the first point of contact for jurors in every case.”
