The Courts Service says it is committed to refurbishing Clifden Courthouse, which is the subject of legal action taken by the Co Galway Solicitors' Bar Association.
The solicitors have issued legal proceedings against the Minister for Justice, and the Courts Service, over the future of the 19th-century building in Connemara. Clifden Chamber of Commerce is supporting the action.
The solicitors say the building, dating from 1830, is of great heritage value, but is dilapidated and in urgent need of renovation. It should not be refurbished in a modern way, as proposed by State agencies, they argue.
The solicitors state in their proceedings that they want the building's court furniture and timber superstructure retained. They say the defendants, including the Minister for Justice, have "failed and neglected to provide, manage or maintain the courthouse in Clifden, or provide facilities for users of the courts as envisaged in the Courts Services Act, 1998".
The Courts Service says Clifden is part of its capital refurbishment programme, on which over €100 million has been spent since 1999. However, it says it has to give priority to court buildings in towns which accommodate high court, circuit court and district court sittings. The circuit court sits five times a year in Clifden, and district court sittings are once a month, it points out.
The campaign to preserve the courthouse is spearheaded by Circuit Court Judge Harvey Kenny, supported by the Connemara legal profession. Four years ago, the judge expressed concern about preliminary plans agreed by Galway County Council and the Department of Justice. These involved replacing the 19th century interior, complete with timber furniture and amphitheatre, with a modern alternative.
An offer by the Courts Service to provide temporary alternative accommodation for court sittings in the Connemara town has been rejected by the Co Galway solicitors, who say they regret having to resort to legal action.