Site sought for new Navan courthouse building

The Courts Service of Ireland is actively seeking a suitable site for a new Navan courthouse, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has said.

The Courts Service has faced calls to expedite work in Navan because of recent reports that Trim courthouse - the other courthouse in County Meath - is increasingly overcrowded.

Answering a Dáil question, Ms Fitzgerald said: “The courthouse facility in Navan is a leased premises to provide a temporary solution to accommodate court sittings in Navan.

“In the longer term the requirement for a modern court complex in Navan is recognised and the Courts Service is currently actively pursuing options to source a suitable site for a courthouse in the town.”

Ms Fitzgerald also said measures were being introduced to mitigate overcrowding in Trim courthouse.

She said: “Video technology has recently been introduced in Trim courthouse which will facilitate video conferencing between the courthouse and prisons with a view to reducing the number of prisoners physically being brought to Court.”