Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has sharply critised the Government for removing the refurbishment of the former Wicklow District Courthouse in Wicklow Town from the National Development Plan leaving the future of this historic and vital public building in serious jeopardy.
Deputy Brady said “Under the original 2021–2030 National Development Plan, Wicklow was clearly identified as a priority location for new or refurbished court facilities, including the refurbishment of Wicklow District Courthouse and the delivery of a new courthouse in Bray. However, following the subsequent review of the plan, which was recently carried out, Wicklow has now been entirely erased from the Justice Sectoral Investment Plan which is part of the revised National Development Plan.
“Despite the Courts Service formally including Wicklow Courthouse in its submission to Government during last year’s NDP review, a political decision was taken to remove Wicklow completely from the plan which runs until 2030.
“This is nothing short of a disgrace. Wicklow was promised investment, Wicklow was prioritised, and then Wicklow was simply written out of the plan. That is not an oversight, it is a political decision, and one that has real consequences for this county and Wicklow Town.
The consequences of this decision are severe. The former Wicklow District Courthouse has stood vacant since 2010 and is now being left in an ongoing state of dereliction, placing its future completely at risk. This is a protected structure, meaning the Government’s inaction is not just negligent, it is placing a key piece of Wicklow’s architectural and civic heritage in danger while also keeping the landmark building in Market Square in Wicklow Town derelict, which has a negative impact on the vibrancy of the town.
“This building is rotting before our eyes, it's costing hundreds of thousands of euros to keep the heating on and carrying out maintenance work on the derelict building to stop it deteriorating further.
“However, the longer the Government delays, the more expensive and difficult restoration becomes. This is what happens when political decisions are made with no regard for local communities. Waiting at least another 5 years for funding to refurbish the courthouse is totally unacceptable.
“In 2024, the OPW commissioned a high-level feasibility study into the reuse of the courthouse. That report placed the cost of full restoration at between €13 million and €17 million. At the same time, the Courts Service was warned that unless a full restoration takes place soon, the spread of dry rot cannot be halted, threatening the very survival of the structure.
“The Government knows the pressures the Courts Service are under in Wicklow. They know the condition of this courthouse. They know the cost. They know the risk. And they have still chosen to walk away. That is not governance, that is abandonment.
“This makes the conduct of Tánaiste Simon Harris even more unacceptable. Following the review of the National Development Plan, Simon Harris was quick to re-announce, again, the long-overdue funding for the refurbishment of Greystones Garda Station, yet he has remained completely silent on the political decision taken by his own Government to remove Wicklow District Courthouse entirely from the plan.
“You cannot pick and choose which parts of Wicklow matter. Simon Harris cannot celebrate investment in one town while presiding over the destruction of an important protected public building in another.
“If the Tánaiste truly believes in strengthening public services in Wicklow, then his actions must match his words. That means reinstating Wicklow Courthouse in the National Development Plan and ensuring that funding is delivered immediately.
This is not simply about a building. It is about access to justice, respect for our heritage, the future of public services, and whether Wicklow is treated as a county that matters.
“Wicklow deserves more than broken promises, political silence and selective investment.
“This Government must reverse its decision, restore Wicklow Courthouse to the National Development Plan, end the dereliction in Wicklow Town, and finally show the people of this county the respect they deserve.” Deputy Brady concluded. Ends