Edenderry solicitors react to threat of court closure

Edenderry solicitors have reacted angrily to news that Edenderry District Court could be under threat of closure. A statement prepared on behalf of all practising solicitors in the town this week insists assurances were given both orally and in writing that the long-term tenure of Edenderry District Court was secure. The statement said it is "with great regret, annoyance and anger that the Edenderry area solicitors have learned of the immenent threat to the closure of Edenderry courthouse and its district court sittings" and added that the closure of the service would not lead to any cost savings. "In or around June/July 2011, we were informed that the government, as part of a 'cost cutting' review of court services, was considering the closure of 50 regional courthouses including Edenderry," the statement outlined. "Arising from our serious concerns, we immediately made written and oral representations to the Midland Bar Association, Court Services, local councillors and local TDs. We were also informed that representation had been made personally to Alan Shatter, the Minister for Justice. "We were given various assurances, orally and in writing that the long-term tenure of Edenderry District Court was secure," the statement continued. "We were informed that we, as local practitioners with practical knowledge of the issues concerned and daily running of the courts, would be consulted if any future change was being considered. This has proven to be untrue and misleading." The statement said Edenderry solicitors were only made aware indirectly that the Court Services has recently conducted a court venue review and written to local authorities with their findings. "They have devised a 'points allocation' using a formula (devised by themselves without prior consultation), which in our opinion is a formula simply designed to attain a positive result towards the closure of courts such as Edenderry," the statement said. Under the review system any court sitting with a score of less than 23 is deemed to be at risk. Edenderry scored just eleven points in the review. The group of Edenderry solicitors say they have now made a written submission to the Court Services "strenuously objecting" to the points system, how it was devised, how it was rated and how in their opinion it was incorrectly applied to Edenderry Court. The statement said the closure of Edenderry District Court would have a profound effect on the local community and would be yet another attack on rural Ireland. The courthouse, which has operated in Edenderry since the 1820s, is described as a landmark in the town and a local institution. Its closure will mean those attending court will have to travel to Tullamore. Local business will be adversely affected on court days, the statement said, while the town will be more exposed to crime while gardaí travel to Tullamore to prosecute their cases. The closure of the court will also have the effect of condemning Edenderry as a "second-tier" or "backwater" town, the statement added. "Most damning of all is the assertion that this review process is an attempt at cost saving in the State," the statement continued. "We estimate that the closure of Edenderry District Court and relocating it to Tullamore will in fact make no saving to the Exchequer but in fact dramatically increase the said costs. It is estimated that each sitting of Edenderry District Court costs the State no more than €500 per sitting. Moving it to Tullamore will in reality and fact increase those costs by many multiples." The group is now calling on all north Offaly residents to contact local TDs and councillors to make their voices heard.