Road services will move from bboro courthouse
Road services in Bailieborough courthouse will be moved to Cootehill, Cavan County Council has confirmed.
Disappointed traders were told on Friday (January 9), in a private session after the monthly municipal meeting in Bailieborough, that the move would be going ahead.
Chair of the local area council Cllr Niamh Smyth said that the move felt like a 'fait accompli'.
Cootehill is also to be the headquarters for the Bailieborough-Cootehill municipal district. The cost of bringing the courthouse up to spec is €380K, while Cootehill is €80K.
Those present from the Bailieboro Business Association were Michael Giles, Lorraine Harris and Kevin Smith and Peadar Reynolds from the Bailieboro Development Association. It is understood that the traffic warden and the overseer will be the only ones left using the Courthouse for office facilities.
“It was very disappointing,” said Cllr Smyth.
“It is more than just the roads office leaving Bailieboro – it is also about a new designated Headquarters for the Municipal District and I feel that will be hugely important. Bailieboro is the second biggest town in the county – it is just as entitled to it as any other town and is most appropriate that it would be located here.
“We have the highest population in the whole electoral area and there is a feeling amongst the public that we are out on a limb. This decision now seems to be a Fait accompli and there is no room for manoeuvre or no negotiations available to us,' said Cllr Smith.
“Tourism or any new service that would bring business and footfall to the Main Street in Bailieboro would be more than welcome. We will do anything to facilitate that. I’m always talking about the integrity of the Main Street and Bailieboro has suffered more than most towns in the county with small shops closing,' said Cllr Smyth.
“We now have to continue to work with the Council to ensure that something happens with the courthouse, because it is a flagship building in the town and is a very significant building on the Main Street in Bailieboro. We can’t allow it to fall into disrepair and become a derelict building – that just can’t happen,' she said.
A council spokesperson said: “No confirmed date has been set for the re-location. However it is hoped that this transition will take place shortly.
“Discussions are ongoing with three office-based staff and the office will continue to be used by the Traffic Warden and Area Overseer. Longer term plans for the building have yet to be decided but will be subject to future funding.”