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Temporary courthouse closure will hit most vulnerable claim

Derry court cases are to be temporarily transferred to Omagh and Coleraine to facilitate maintenance work at Bishop Street Courthouse. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Derry court cases are to be temporarily transferred to Omagh and Coleraine to facilitate maintenance work at Bishop Street Courthouse. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Derry court cases are to be temporarily transferred to Omagh and Coleraine to facilitate maintenance work at Bishop Street Courthouse. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

THE Northern Ireland Courts Service has been urged to reverse a decision to close Derry’s courthouse while maintenance work is carried out this the summer.

It is anticipated that all court business will move to Omagh and Coleraine while the work is in progress.

However Derry solicitors have claimed the move will lead to a 70-mile round trip for some of the most vulnerable in society.

Solicitor Kevin Casey said the proposed move had never been discussed with stakeholders and called for the court service reconsider its decision.

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said the decision has caused alarm and anger among legal professionals.

“Should the closure go ahead it will cause huge disruption and potentially great distress to court users, particularly victims and witnesses and will compromise their access to justice,” he said.

Mr Durkan said the move would also place pressure on already stretched police resources.

“The fact that there was little consultation, if any, before this decision was announced is not acceptable,” he said.

Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney called for the court service to reconsider the move and enter “meaningful dialogue” with stakeholders.