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COVID-19 impact prompts District Court action

The President of the District Court, Judge Paul Kelly, has decided to cancel courts 8 and 23 in the Four Courts for the week beginning 4 April, due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Judge Kelly said that the increase in the incidence of the virus had resulted in “unprecedented” numbers of Courts Service staff, judges, practitioners, and witnesses being unable to attend court.

A notice on the Courts Service website said that the courts body and the judiciary recognised that this was an evolving situation, and that it would be kept under regular review.

Absence of personnel

Reviews will take account of staffing levels, judicial availability, Government announcements, and public-health guidance.

Those attending court are still requested to observe public-health guidance on social distancing, hand hygiene, cough/sneeze etiquette, and use of face coverings while in the court building and the court room.

The District Court President also warned that, in addition to the cancellations announced today (1 April), the absence of key personnel might also result in individual cases being unable to proceed as planned.

The judge said that every effort would be made to minimise disruption.