District Court sittings should be retained in Youghal, Cork councillors urge

District Court sittings should be retained in Youghal and not moved across the county bounds to Dungarvan, three East Cork councillors have suggested, in a motion that was discussed at this week’s meeting of Cork County Council.

According to the motion brought by Fianna Fáil’s Anne Marie Ahern, Fine Gael’s Michael Hegarty, and Independent councillor Mary Linehan Foley, the moving of court sittings which is proposed to go ahead in June would have a negative impact on current services and employment, and could leave the local Garda station closed for a number of days during each sitting.

Detrimental

Ms Ahern told the council that it would be detrimental to the area if the sittings were to be moved from their current location at the Mall House in the town.

“We’re looking forward to keeping the conviction rate in East Cork low, but the actual basis for the motion is the fact that they’re looking to move the court services from the Mall House in Youghal down to Dungarvan,” she said.

“It will actually cause Youghal Garda Station to close for possibly a minimum of two to three days a week where we’d be left with no Garda presence in Youghal town which isn’t acceptable.”

Ms Ahern said that she would also like to add an invitation for justice minister Jim O’Callaghan to come to the area to meet the three councillors proposing the motion, to discuss the matter further.

Opposed

Ms Linehan Foley recalled that something similar had been attempted in 2022, but that this had been opposed by the then Cork East TD Sean Sherlock, and the move did not happen at that time.

“It must also be mentioned that people would have to travel, people on low incomes that wouldn’t be able to travel to Dungarvan.

“You’ve family courts, circuit courts, all types of courts that are in the Youghal area for the Youghal people — we must not sit back on this.”

Mr Hegarty said it would be “very unfair” to people who were involved or concerned to have to travel to Dungarvan.

“It’s crucial that this service is retained and maintained for the benefit of those that have to use it.”

A number of other councillors contributed to the debate supporting the motion asking the council to write a letter to the Minister seeking this move to be stopped.

The motion was subsequently passed by the council.