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KERRY County Council is to seek a definitive answer from Courts Service to determine what are their plans in relation to Tralee Courthouse and whether they intend on relocating the courts in the town.
At the meeting of Tralee Municipal District on Monday, Cllr Jim Finucane had a motion before council that they draw up a plan for alternative uses of the existing courthouse such as GAA museum, arts centre, amateur drama and other potential uses.
Cllr Finucane said the facilities at the Courthouse are not fit for purpose and if the Courts Service will not commit to carrying out the necessary works to bring it up to standard, then other plans need to be made for the building.
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In reply, Council Management said the Courthouse is vested in the Courts Service and not in the ownership of Kerry County Council. They are not aware of any definitive plans by the Court Services in relation to the future proposals.
“My information is there is no proposal to extend or renovate the existing courthouse,” said Cllr Finucane, who feared that in time Tralee would lose all courts to the cities, adding to people’s difficulties.
He said the Courts Service has previously looked at sites in Fels Point and Ballymullen Barracks, but no decision has been made on the location of a new facility.
Cllr Cathal Foley said he couldn’t support Cllr Finucane’s motion because he didn’t want to give the Courts Service any encouragement to move out of the Courthouse.
Mayor of Tralee Cllr Terry O’Brien said there was too much speculation about what was happening with the Courthouse. He said they will seek straight answers from the Courts Service who need to state publicly what their intentions are in relation to the situation in Tralee.
