Search Results for 'Swinford Courthouse'

John Sheahan, the Sinn Féin candidate in the Ballina Electoral area, has called for Swinford Courthouse to be handed over to the community following its closure in late 2013. Mr Sheehan said: "It was a sad day for the people of Swinford and surrounding areas when Swinford Courthouse held its last sitting in November 2013. The closure marked the end of an era as the service dated back to the middle of the 19th century. The loss of the court service means people now have to travel to Ballina for court sittings and has cost local business up to €250,000 in revenue annually. This closure could result in more job losses that Swinford can ill afford.”

There was shock and anger in Ballyhaunis District Court on Tuesday morning when it emerged that it would probably be the last time the court would sit in the town after over 150 years of administering justice in east Mayo. The news was later confirmed by the Court Service, although there was no definite date for the closure or decision on where the court will move to.

All of the Swinford solicitors and their staff are challenging the evaluation criteria set out by the Courts Service in an effort to have at least one court in operation for east Mayo. At present, based on the flawed criteria and a lack of meaningful engagement with the local community, the closure is likely. It also comes at a time when Swinford Garda Station has been downgraded and the closure of the local Teagasc office is imminent.