Closing the Doors

Letters arrived into some legal offices today relating to the restriction of access to the Four Courts.

They say

15th September 2005

Dear Applicant,

I refer to your application for a security access card for use under new security arrangements at the Four Courts Complex. Your application has been successful and your card is enclosed herewith.

The new arrangements will be phased in from 3rd October, 2005. From that date there will be no access available to anybody through either the front door of the main Four Courts building or the front door of Aras Ui Dhalaigh.

Public entrances/exits to the complex will be at Morgan Place and Chancery Place (please see map of complex on the reverse side of this letter).

Persons issued with security access cards will be able to enter and leave the complex via specially erected kiosks at Morgan Place, Chancery Street and Chancery Place (please see locations on the map on the reverse side of this letter). The kiosks will admit one person and a standard briefcase. Persons transporting large amounts of files or boxes may have to use the public entrances. Cardholders can also gain access through a separate door to the Circuit Criminal Courts 24,25 and 26 at Chancery Place.

To avoid having to use the public entrances, you are advised to bring your card with you on each visit to the Four Courts. During the initial implementation phase you are also advised to arrive a few minutes early to facilitate the efficient operation of the new procedures.

This security access card has been issued to you for your personal use. Misuse of the card, for example, allowing it to be used by another person will result in the withdrawal of the facility and a report issued to the Law Society. The card remains the property of the Courts Service at all times. For security reasons the loss of a card should be reported immediately to the Courts Service Buildings Unit, Tel No 01 8886134, 6180 or 6773. A fee of €5 will be charged for the replacement of a card.

Yours faithfully,

Frank Lyons
Buildings Unit- Dublin Region”

The map on the back which is an elevation of the Four Courts Complex, includes railings across the front portico, which is marked Entrance Closed. My favourite readers, the sharp eyed ones, will have noticed that I have yet to receive notice of a decision having issued in relation to the protest lodged to the creation of this dead space. Maybe the Courts Service knows something I do not.

I will contact the OPW tomorrow and see if they have anything to add.