'Removal of court services is a major blow to both towns', says Tipperary councillor

In response to the news earlier this week that court services in Cashel and Carrick-on-Suir would be moved to Clonmel, local Tipperary councillor John O'Heney has released a statement in response to the news.

Earlier in the year it had been mooted that a transfer of Court services away from some Courthouses in the County Tipperary was under consideration.

Late last week, this was confirmed, in a hard hitting letter by Judge Brian O Shea to the Head of the District and Circuit Court Operations, citing that he wished for the transfer of services from Cashel and Carrick-on-Suir Courthouses to Clonmel Courthouse, as and from the 1st of November this coming year.

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Speaking on the announcement Cllr John O'Heney states "In the last few days, I have held discussions with members of the Legal Community in Cashel and Tipperary Town to discuss the impact this will have on our area.

"While it is hard to argue with some of Judge O'Shea's arguments, that both Cashel and Carrick-on-Suir Courthouses are not fit for purpose, I strongly believe that this decision will have a negative impact on both Towns.

"It is a point of immense pride to have a District Court sit in your Town. It is also a great boost for local businesses and the knock-on positive affect that can have in a Town.

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"We are now faced with a situation in South Tipperary, where Clonmel will be the only District Court in the entire area, which is unacceptable given the vast geography of the area. It will lead to greater travel times and ultimately additional costs for all that need to use our Court Services.

"Tipperary Town has already lost its Court sittings to Nenagh and this new decision is another hammer-blow, to West Tipperary in particular.

"Given that large sums of money have already been spent on Cashel Courthouse, I am sure that if slight moderations were made to that building, it could be deemed more than adequate for use.

"I am also calling on our 3 TDs in South Tipperary, two of which are supporting the current Government, to do all they can to ensure this decision is reversed.

"While there is no guarantee whatsoever of overturning this decision, I have written to the Head of the District and Circuit Court Operations in Dublin and also to Judge O Shea himself to reconsider the impact this will have on our the wider Community"

More updates on this pressing issue will be provided in due course.