Swords District Courthouse
Swords District Courthouse And Court Office. North Street. The building was designed by Alexander Tate in 1845 and built between 1846 / 1847 at a cost of £425. GPS Coordinates Latitude 53.46043406 Longitude -6.2187767
The courthouse at Swords:
Every Monday, 10.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. - criminal (hearings only).
Every Tuesday, 10.30 a.m. - criminal; 2.00 p.m. - family law (except third Tuesday of the month).
Every Wednesday, 10.30 a.m. - criminal; 2.00 p.m. - family law.
Third Tuesday of every month, 10.30 a.m. - civil.
First Friday of the month - special hearings only.
The office is located on Bridge Street Swords
Oppisite The Pound Pub Phone 8403187
Every Monday, 10.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. - criminal (hearings only).
Every Tuesday, 10.30 a.m. - criminal; 2.00 p.m. - family law (except third Tuesday of the month).
Every Wednesday, 10.30 a.m. - criminal; 2.00 p.m. - family law.
Third Tuesday of every month, 10.30 a.m. - civil.
First Friday of the month - special hearings only.
The office is located on Bridge Street Swords
Oppisite The Pound Pub Phone 8403187
The majorty of cases heard in The Swords courthouse relate to drunken fights which take place on the main street every weekend, other cases are for drunken driving, stealing from shops. The avarage fine handed down for drink driving is two thousand euro and a two year ban. Presisant offenders often get jail time. Other offences include being fined for no television licence. If your unlucky and have to go to court you will most likely find your name in the Fingal Independent newspaper which covers all the trials in Swords court.
Below Are Some Examples Of Cases Before Swords Court and are typical of district courts around Ireland.
Latvian Banned For 11 Years
A latvian man who drove his car while already banned from driving has being given another ban, this time he got an 11 year ban. The judge also gave him a 4 month prison sentence but he was lucky as the judge suspended the jail term. The man was already serving a 3 year driving ban when the Garda caught him driving without insurance in Rush, Co, Dublin. The judge also fined him €500 for the no insurance charge and €300 for driving while he was already banned.
Mulhuddard Man Charged With Bilking
A man in his 50s was charged with filling his car with €90 worth of petrol from a filling station in Balbriggan and driving off without bothering to pay for the fuel. Bilking, which is driving off without paying for fuel is on the increse around North County Dublin. There's hardly a week goes by without someone ending up in court for doing a runner from filling stations. Case Adjourned.
Cavan Man Refused To Leave Garda Station.
A Cavan man who had arrived in Swords Garda Station asking about his friend who had being arrested beforhand started giving the Garda abuse. He called the Garda unrepeatable names and refused to leave the station when asked. The 19 year old said he was afraid of going to prison and said he was very sorry for being drunk and abusive to Garda. He was let off. He received a suspended 1 year sentence, which means if he ends up in court in the next year the sentence could be activated, the Cavan man went home a happy camper.
Lusk Man Gets 150 Hours Community Service For Driving While Banned.
A man from Dun Emer in Lusk was caught by the Garda driving his car when he was already banned from driving. He was stopped by the Garda on the Forest Rd. Swords last July. His previous relates to driving with no insurance and given the Garda wrong information.
Man Selling Smokes To Buy Drugs
A man was caught by the Garda selling Cigaretts at the market in Balbriggan said he wanted the money to buy drugs as he was addict. The smokes had no government seal and were regarded by the Garda as being ''Black Market'' smokes. The arrested man was from Dundalk and had less than 100 smokes for sale. Te judge fined him €100.
African Woman Caught Drunk Driving While Banned
The woman was driving in Lusk with no lights on. She was only banned from driving a few months ago for driving with no insurance. The Garda caught her again. The judge gave her another ban, this time for 4 years. He also fined her a total of €1,050 for no insurance and driving while already banned. The judge said she'll be going to prison if she keeps this carry on up. She was on the way to Lucan in West Dublin when stopped.
African Man Buys A Car And Then Crashes It
The man had only bougt the car, but went drinking and crashed it on the way home to Boroimhe at the Forest Road. He also had no insurance on the car.. The judge fined him a total of €800 for driving while drunk and having no insurance. He also got a 2 year ban.
Two Latvian Women Caught Robbing At The Pavilions
The 2 women who are living at Carnigie Court North Street Swords were caught stealing goods from Dunnes Stores to the value of €80. One of the women said that loads of other people rob from shops and that they too can do it. They were given probation.
Nigerian Crashes Into Parked Car In Swords.
A Nigerian man out doing deliveries in a van crashed into a parked car when he was trying to turn his van. He was making a delivery to a shop in River Mall off Main Street at the time. There was €2,000 worth of damage done to the parked car. The Nigerian man left the scene after hitting the car.. He was fined a total of €500 by the judge of Swords District Court
Latvian Banned For 11 Years
A latvian man who drove his car while already banned from driving has being given another ban, this time he got an 11 year ban. The judge also gave him a 4 month prison sentence but he was lucky as the judge suspended the jail term. The man was already serving a 3 year driving ban when the Garda caught him driving without insurance in Rush, Co, Dublin. The judge also fined him €500 for the no insurance charge and €300 for driving while he was already banned.
Mulhuddard Man Charged With Bilking
A man in his 50s was charged with filling his car with €90 worth of petrol from a filling station in Balbriggan and driving off without bothering to pay for the fuel. Bilking, which is driving off without paying for fuel is on the increse around North County Dublin. There's hardly a week goes by without someone ending up in court for doing a runner from filling stations. Case Adjourned.
Cavan Man Refused To Leave Garda Station.
A Cavan man who had arrived in Swords Garda Station asking about his friend who had being arrested beforhand started giving the Garda abuse. He called the Garda unrepeatable names and refused to leave the station when asked. The 19 year old said he was afraid of going to prison and said he was very sorry for being drunk and abusive to Garda. He was let off. He received a suspended 1 year sentence, which means if he ends up in court in the next year the sentence could be activated, the Cavan man went home a happy camper.
Lusk Man Gets 150 Hours Community Service For Driving While Banned.
A man from Dun Emer in Lusk was caught by the Garda driving his car when he was already banned from driving. He was stopped by the Garda on the Forest Rd. Swords last July. His previous relates to driving with no insurance and given the Garda wrong information.
Man Selling Smokes To Buy Drugs
A man was caught by the Garda selling Cigaretts at the market in Balbriggan said he wanted the money to buy drugs as he was addict. The smokes had no government seal and were regarded by the Garda as being ''Black Market'' smokes. The arrested man was from Dundalk and had less than 100 smokes for sale. Te judge fined him €100.
African Woman Caught Drunk Driving While Banned
The woman was driving in Lusk with no lights on. She was only banned from driving a few months ago for driving with no insurance. The Garda caught her again. The judge gave her another ban, this time for 4 years. He also fined her a total of €1,050 for no insurance and driving while already banned. The judge said she'll be going to prison if she keeps this carry on up. She was on the way to Lucan in West Dublin when stopped.
African Man Buys A Car And Then Crashes It
The man had only bougt the car, but went drinking and crashed it on the way home to Boroimhe at the Forest Road. He also had no insurance on the car.. The judge fined him a total of €800 for driving while drunk and having no insurance. He also got a 2 year ban.
Two Latvian Women Caught Robbing At The Pavilions
The 2 women who are living at Carnigie Court North Street Swords were caught stealing goods from Dunnes Stores to the value of €80. One of the women said that loads of other people rob from shops and that they too can do it. They were given probation.
Nigerian Crashes Into Parked Car In Swords.
A Nigerian man out doing deliveries in a van crashed into a parked car when he was trying to turn his van. He was making a delivery to a shop in River Mall off Main Street at the time. There was €2,000 worth of damage done to the parked car. The Nigerian man left the scene after hitting the car.. He was fined a total of €500 by the judge of Swords District Court
Stealing Clothes From T.K. Max
A woman who lives in Castleview near Applewood in Swords stole more than €700 worth of clothes from T.K. Max shop at The Pavillions. The woman pleaded guilty to the judge. She had 3 previous convictions. Her defence said she was going through hard times at the moment. The judge fined her €500.
Map shows location of the courthouse
Introduction
District courts in Ireland are an integral part of the Irish judicial system. They are the lowest level of courts in the country and handle a wide range of cases, from minor criminal offenses to civil disputes. The district court system in Ireland has a long and complex history, dating back to the 1800s. Over the years, there have been significant changes and developments in the organization, jurisdiction, and procedures of the district courts. This thesis will explore the role, structure, and functioning of district courts in Ireland, as well as their impact on the Irish legal system.
History and Development of District Courts in Ireland
District courts in Ireland were first established in the late 1800s under the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851. These courts were designed to handle minor criminal cases, such as drunkenness, assault, and minor thefts. At the time, there were over 600 petty sessions districts in Ireland, with each district having its own court. The jurisdiction of these courts was limited to cases where the penalty did not exceed six months imprisonment or a fine of £20.
In the early 1900s, the District Court (Ireland) Act 1908 was introduced, which reorganized the district courts and established a unified system of courts throughout the country. This act also expanded the jurisdiction of the district courts to include civil matters, such as debt collection and landlord-tenant disputes. The district courts continued to evolve over the years, with the Courts of Justice Act 1924 establishing a central court for each county and the Courts of Justice Act 1926 introducing a central court for Dublin.
In the 1960s, the district courts underwent significant reform with the creation of the District Court Rules Committee, which was responsible for drafting rules and procedures for the district courts. This led to the District Court Rules 1965, which set out the procedures and practices for the district courts that are still in use today. In 2014, the District Court Rules were revised and updated, reflecting the modernization of the Irish legal system.
Structure and Jurisdiction of District Courts in Ireland
Today, there are 163 district court districts in Ireland, with each district having at least one district court judge. The district court judges are appointed by the government and are responsible for presiding over cases in their respective districts. The district courts have jurisdiction over a wide range of cases, including criminal offenses, civil disputes, family law matters, and licensing applications. The district courts also have limited jurisdiction in certain types of cases, such as personal injuries cases where the value of the claim does not exceed €15,000.
One of the unique characteristics of the district courts in Ireland is their informal and accessible nature. The proceedings in district courts are less formal compared to higher courts, and parties are not required to have legal representation. This makes the district courts more accessible to individuals who cannot afford legal representation or those who wish to represent themselves.
Functioning of District Courts in Ireland
The district courts in Ireland are the busiest courts in the country, with over 1 million cases being dealt with each year. The majority of cases heard in the district courts are criminal cases, with traffic and public order offenses being the most common. However, the district courts also play a significant role in the resolution of civil disputes, with a large number of small claims and debt collection cases being heard.
The district courts also have a crucial role in the Irish criminal justice system. They act as the first point of entry for most criminal cases, and district court judges have the power to remand accused persons in custody, grant bail, and impose fines and sentences for minor offenses. The district courts also handle cases involving juveniles, and specific procedures are in place to protect the rights of young offenders.
Impact of District Courts on the Irish Legal System
District courts play a vital role in the Irish legal system, acting as a gateway to justice for many individuals. They provide a forum for the resolution of a wide range of disputes and reduce the burden on higher courts by dealing with minor offenses and civil disputes. The district courts also have a significant impact on access to justice, as they are more affordable and less intimidating compared to higher courts.
However, there are also some challenges and criticisms of the district courts in Ireland. There have been concerns about delays in the processing of cases and the consistency of decisions made by district court judges. There are also concerns about the lack of legal representation for parties in district courts, which can result in unfair outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, district courts in Ireland have a long and complex history, and their role and jurisdiction have evolved significantly over the years. They are an essential part of the Irish legal system, providing accessible and efficient justice for a wide range of cases. However, there are also challenges and criticisms that need to be addressed to ensure the continued effectiveness and fairness of the district courts. As the Irish legal system continues to evolve, the district courts will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of justice in Ireland.
District courts in Ireland are an integral part of the Irish judicial system. They are the lowest level of courts in the country and handle a wide range of cases, from minor criminal offenses to civil disputes. The district court system in Ireland has a long and complex history, dating back to the 1800s. Over the years, there have been significant changes and developments in the organization, jurisdiction, and procedures of the district courts. This thesis will explore the role, structure, and functioning of district courts in Ireland, as well as their impact on the Irish legal system.
History and Development of District Courts in Ireland
District courts in Ireland were first established in the late 1800s under the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851. These courts were designed to handle minor criminal cases, such as drunkenness, assault, and minor thefts. At the time, there were over 600 petty sessions districts in Ireland, with each district having its own court. The jurisdiction of these courts was limited to cases where the penalty did not exceed six months imprisonment or a fine of £20.
In the early 1900s, the District Court (Ireland) Act 1908 was introduced, which reorganized the district courts and established a unified system of courts throughout the country. This act also expanded the jurisdiction of the district courts to include civil matters, such as debt collection and landlord-tenant disputes. The district courts continued to evolve over the years, with the Courts of Justice Act 1924 establishing a central court for each county and the Courts of Justice Act 1926 introducing a central court for Dublin.
In the 1960s, the district courts underwent significant reform with the creation of the District Court Rules Committee, which was responsible for drafting rules and procedures for the district courts. This led to the District Court Rules 1965, which set out the procedures and practices for the district courts that are still in use today. In 2014, the District Court Rules were revised and updated, reflecting the modernization of the Irish legal system.
Structure and Jurisdiction of District Courts in Ireland
Today, there are 163 district court districts in Ireland, with each district having at least one district court judge. The district court judges are appointed by the government and are responsible for presiding over cases in their respective districts. The district courts have jurisdiction over a wide range of cases, including criminal offenses, civil disputes, family law matters, and licensing applications. The district courts also have limited jurisdiction in certain types of cases, such as personal injuries cases where the value of the claim does not exceed €15,000.
One of the unique characteristics of the district courts in Ireland is their informal and accessible nature. The proceedings in district courts are less formal compared to higher courts, and parties are not required to have legal representation. This makes the district courts more accessible to individuals who cannot afford legal representation or those who wish to represent themselves.
Functioning of District Courts in Ireland
The district courts in Ireland are the busiest courts in the country, with over 1 million cases being dealt with each year. The majority of cases heard in the district courts are criminal cases, with traffic and public order offenses being the most common. However, the district courts also play a significant role in the resolution of civil disputes, with a large number of small claims and debt collection cases being heard.
The district courts also have a crucial role in the Irish criminal justice system. They act as the first point of entry for most criminal cases, and district court judges have the power to remand accused persons in custody, grant bail, and impose fines and sentences for minor offenses. The district courts also handle cases involving juveniles, and specific procedures are in place to protect the rights of young offenders.
Impact of District Courts on the Irish Legal System
District courts play a vital role in the Irish legal system, acting as a gateway to justice for many individuals. They provide a forum for the resolution of a wide range of disputes and reduce the burden on higher courts by dealing with minor offenses and civil disputes. The district courts also have a significant impact on access to justice, as they are more affordable and less intimidating compared to higher courts.
However, there are also some challenges and criticisms of the district courts in Ireland. There have been concerns about delays in the processing of cases and the consistency of decisions made by district court judges. There are also concerns about the lack of legal representation for parties in district courts, which can result in unfair outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, district courts in Ireland have a long and complex history, and their role and jurisdiction have evolved significantly over the years. They are an essential part of the Irish legal system, providing accessible and efficient justice for a wide range of cases. However, there are also challenges and criticisms that need to be addressed to ensure the continued effectiveness and fairness of the district courts. As the Irish legal system continues to evolve, the district courts will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of justice in Ireland.
