Courts to continue in Donegal but cases will be scaled back

March 13, 2020

The courts around Co Donegal will continue despite the measures being taken to combat the coronavirus.

All district and circuit court sittings will continue each week but the number of cases will be scaled back.

The Courts Service has announced measures to scale back the number and size of court hearings, starting from today, but the courts will not be closing.

The service says it is very aware of its responsibility to limit the scope of any threats to health, posed by large gatherings, but it says it is also aware that arrangements must be respectful of people’s rights.

The district court will remain open throughout the country. But its work will be scaled back to deal with urgent matters only.

Other matters will be adjourned to future dates.

Video conferencing will be available for use for custody hearings.

Family law and child protection cases will continue as normal.

No new trials will start in the Circuit Criminal courts for the next two weeks. Jurors in trials which have already started are required to keep attending.

Those summoned to attend for jury duty in the Circuit Criminal Court for the next two weeks, do not have to attend.

All Circuit Court civil and family law matters will generally continue as normal, the service says.

The Courts Service says High Court civil lists are to continue as normal, “in so far as possible”.

It says additional sanitisation of public offices and courtrooms is being undertaken each day and hygiene supplies for public offices and hand sanitisers for public areas are being installed currently.


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