Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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11. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department owns the courthouse on Church Street, Kanturk, which has stood unused for many years; the plans for the building, given that both the courthouse and the attached bridewell, which bears writing and graffiti from the War of Independence and the Civil War, are monuments of historical significance. [60593/22]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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What plans are there for the courthouse on Church Street in Kanturk, which has stood idle for many years? The courthouse and the bridewell jail beside it have historical significance, with the jail containing a great deal of graffiti from the War of Independence and the Civil War, the centenary of which we are in at the moment. Will the Minister of State outline the building's ownership and who has responsibility for it?

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The courthouse on Church Street has stood unused for a number of years. The building is a monument of historical significance in terms of the War of Independence and the Civil War. Deputy Michael Moynihan has been raising this matter for some time to try to make the building available for public use.

Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have made inquiries and the Courts Service has provided the following update on this matter.

Kanturk courthouse is owned by the Courts Service but closed as a venue in 2010. To this end, the Courts Service would welcome an approach from the Office of Public Works, OPW, or local authorities that would see the building being put back into public use or community use. In the past, the Courts Service has worked closely with local authorities to ensure that disused courthouses, which are often of significant local importance, have been repurposed for community use. The Courts Service would favour the same happening with Kanturk courthouse.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Regarding the building's ownership, will the Minister of State commit to getting the documentation from the Courts Service? It could then be forwarded to the committee that has been formed to restore the courthouse. It is important that we have the deeds or registration of title, whichever is the case, and I would appreciate it if we could get that documentation from the Courts Service.

In a supplementary question, I might discuss some of the historical documentation and other material within the courthouse that is in danger of being lost. Losing it would be a shame, given its significance.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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As I know from my previous legal experience, identifying the title of old buildings can often be a challenge and take some work. I will undertake to contact the Courts Service to see whether it can do that work and ensure that the property's title is correctly identified as being under the Courts Service in order that steps can be taken in respect of the building's future use.

Regarding the preservation of the documents within the buildings, historical documents should be preserved. I will raise this matter with the relevant bodies.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The bridewell is adjacent to the courthouse. I commend the Courts Service, in particular Ms Ruth Penney, who was more than helpful in trying to preserve the bridewell last year. The building was porous with water flowing down it and some remedial work was done. There is graffiti in the old bridewell, which served as a jail for 200 years after the courthouse was built in the 1820s, but much of the graffiti dates from the War of Independence and the Civil War. That graffiti is significant and it would be a shame to see it being lost due to neglect of the building. The building is in the public realm and should be preserved. If it were in private ownership, there would be a duty on its owner to preserve it.

In the first instance, though, let us see if we can get the title. We can then revert on the other issue. I wish to apprise the Minister of State of the importance of the graffiti and the historical significance of the building in Kanturk.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I undertake to contact the Courts Service to emphasise the importance of preserving this courthouse and the attached bridewell, given their historical significance and that of the graffiti.