The former courthouse which is situated on the Boghall Road closed in 2006, when court sittings and services were relocated to alternative accommodation leased by the Courts Service in Bray town centre. Since that time the former courthouse has remained vacant.

Over the last number of years, we have consistently raised with the government and the Courts Service the future use of the building. Over that time I had been informed that the Courts Service were in the process of carrying out an assessment on the old courthouse. The existing courthouse in Bray town centre is operating at or near capacity, the Courts Service considered it prudent to assess whether the building on Boghall Road could have a role in the delivery of court services in the Bray area in the future.

We have recently been informed by the Minister for Justice that the intention is to construct a new county town type courthouse facility in Bray. They have finished their assessment of the old courthouse and the current Boghall Road site is considered unsuitable for a county town type courthouse in terms of size or location

Now that it’s clear, after 16 years, the old courthouse is surplus to the requirements of the Courts Service we need to ensure that it is put to use serving the community. We have worked with many community organisations and one of the biggest asks they have is for somewhere to operate from.  The old courthouse is in excellent condition and would be ideal for so many community purposes. We have contacted the Minister for Justice and asked her to engage the Courts Service with a view of utilising the building for community use.