Court sittings in Roscommon town are to be moved to the former Fairyland dance hall on the Racecourse road.
The Courts Service is seeking permission for change of use of the property, which is currently vacant.
Designed by Sir Richard Morrison, Roscommon courthouse in its current location was completed in 1828.
It still houses the traditional benches and docks in both of its courts, however, not surprisingly it's not deemed adequate for advances of the modern world, particularly in terms of accessibility.
Judges and legal professionals have been adamant that the building continue to be used as a courthouse in the future and while all sittings continue to take place in the building except for jury trials, the project is now being progressed.
The Government’s National Development Plan 2018-2027 included provision for full refurbishment of the venue.
€500,000 is being spent on repairing the courthouse roof following the recent collapse of a ceiling a jury room, and around €450,000 will be spent on electrical works.
There's been a campaign also that court users would not have to travel out to neighbouring towns in order to attend court sittings during planned refurbishment works.
The courts service is now confirming that it intends to refurbish the former Fairyland dance hall on the Racecourse road.
It's renting the building, and will change its use for a courthouse and ancillary facilities.
Submissions and observations are being directed to the Regional Manager of the Western Regional office at the courts service in the mall in Castlebar for the next six weeks.
