Delivered services
Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The new facility is a two-courtroom venue which will facilitate both Circuit and District Court business. The first, smaller courtroom is situated downstairs while a second larger room which can accommodate Jury hearings is located upstairs. The new building also includes three holding cells, a vulnerable family room, consulting rooms, a suite for legal practitioners and judges’ chambers. The building also features office accommodation for judges and court staff. In addition, there is also a room which can be used in future for those giving video evidence directly to either of the courtrooms and may even be used to give video evidence abroad. Internally, the floor plans are organised around the central courtrooms allowing the public, judges, jury, and persons in custody to enter the courtrooms via distinctly different routes. The design and facilities protect the security, dignity and privacy of all who seek redress or are asked to account for their actions in the new court building. The building is universally accessible to the public and staff.
PROJECT COMPLEXITIES
The site is located approximately 10m from the boundary of the River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC. The River Boyne SPA, the Boyne Coast and Estuary SAC and the River Nanny Estuary and Shore SPA are approximately 2.14km, 3.06km and 7.0km from the development site respectively. Duleek Commons pNHA, Thomastown Bog pNHA, Blackhall Woods pNHA, Castlecoo Hill pNHA, King William’s Glen pNHA, Boyne River Island pNHA and Laytown Dunes/Nanny Estuary pNHA are all within 10km of the proposed development site. Some of the pNHAs along the River Boyne have now been included in the SAC. The ramped access resolves the requirement for the building to be elevated above the flood plain of the Boyne Valley. The Courthouse was constructed on a brownfield site which was in use as a carpark. The subterranean historical town wall, a Protected Structure, is located on the southern boundary of the site and was incorporated into the landscape plan. There is a modern Garda Station within 5m of the Courthouse site boundary. Continuous monitoring was required during construction.
