Lucky escape for public as part of Four Courts ceiling falls to the ground
Dozens of people gathered in the Four Court's Round Hall had a lucky escape today after a section of masonry from the historic Dome fell to the ground narrowly missing those standing below.
At around 11.20am this morning, the section of rosette-shaped masonry, which formed part of the inner ceiling close to the summit of the landmark dome, somehow became dislodged and fell to the ground.
The rosette, approximately the size of a football, made a loud noise after smashing into pieces against the Round Hall's marble floor.
While there was a significant number of people present at the time, including tourists, parties, witnesses involved in cases, court staff, media, solicitors and barristers present.
Luckily, the falling material did not strike anybody.
It was a stroke of fortune as had the incident occurred a short time earlier, when the Round Hall was busy with a large number of people prior to the commencement of Monday morning courts lists, there could have been a number of serious injuries.
A statement from the Court Services, confirming the incident, said the centre of the Round Hall under the rosettes has been cordoned off and that a full inspection of the ceiling has been arranged.
