There was a large turn out for the public meeting held at Enniskillen Court House last year RMG40
ENNISKILLEN Courthouse is to become a court hearing centre from August 1, meaning the building will be open on court sitting days only and the local court office will become a part-time service.
The courthouse, which only holds sittings less than three days a week, had been under threat of closure under plans to shut seven “under-used” courthouse across the North after the Department of Justice’ budget was slashed by £75 million.
However, following public pressure in Fermanagh, it was announced in February the courthouse had been given a reprieve and would instead become a hearing centre.
This plan will be implemented from August 1, after which all court business will be managed from the Omagh court office. This is except on court sitting days, usually Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, when the Enniskillen court office will be open.
The Northern Ireland and Tribunals Service (NICTS) have confirmed none of their staff will be made redundant as a result of the move, however locally people are still anxious about the future of the local court service.
Tom Elliott MP said he believed the move would prove “hugely inconvenient” for the people of Fermanagh and believed the retention of the courthouse did not go far enough.
“I do think this is some sort of gesture rather than a real, meaningful retention, which is key. There should be a longer term strategy,” he said.
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