Anti social claims in relation to landmark Longford building are disputed
The issue was initially raised by Cllr Seamus Butler who said he had seen anti-social behaviour on the front steps of Longford Courthouse on days when court was in session.
Concerns over alleged anti-social behaviour on the steps of Longford Courthouse have sparked a disagreement between Longford councillors and the Courts Service, with Longford’s new Garda Superintendent now set to be asked for records of reported incidents.
The issue was first raised when Councillor Seamus Butler submitted a motion at a previous council meeting regarding what he described as anti-social behaviour on the front steps of Longford Courthouse on days when court was in session.
He proposed asking the Courts Service if people attending court could use a separate entrance rather than congregating on the front steps, where, he said, they were smoking, vaping, and loitering.
It was agreed the council would write to the Courts Service seeking engagement on the concerns raised.
The response from the Courts Service to this letter, which was read out by council administrator Lorraine McKee at a recent meeting of the Longford Municipal District, was described by Cllr Butler as “supercilious”, a term used to describe a manner that appears arrogant or condescending.
The courts reply stated, “Thank you for your letter dated June 3 requesting the court services to provide alternative off-street access to the courthouse on Lane Street Langford to eliminate the antisocial behaviour that occurs on the front entrance steps on a regular basis.
“The court services have not previously received complaints or reports of antisocial behaviour occurring at or in the immediate vicinity of the courthouse entrance.
“Should the council have documented incidents or evidence of repeated or ongoing antisocial activity, I would welcome the opportunity to review same and to discuss appropriate next steps.”
Cllr Butler told the chamber, “The world and its wife knows exactly what I'm talking about.
“What I suggest we do now is forward that letter to Superintendent Tom Waters and ask for incidents that have been reported to them and dealt with over the last five years on or in the vicinity of the court's steps.
“When we get it, which I believe will be a positive answer, we will forward that to the court service.”
The proposal was met with support from councillors. Cllr Butler also suggested the council encourage the Courts Service to apply for the shopfront grant scheme so they could “improve the facade and the area” of the courthouse.
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