The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Mr O’Donoghue today opened the new courthouse in Trim, Co Meath.
The old courthouse, a listed building, was fullyrefurbished and extended at a cost of £5 million. The original building dated back to 1810.
This development is part of "the most comprehensive and radical reform of court administration since the foundation of the State," Mr O’Donoghue said today.
"The effectiveness of the courts is of considerable importance in underpinning the economic success of the country and in supporting the continued ability of the Government to attract and retain foreign investment," he added.
During the past month, new courthouses have been opened in Mallow, Co Cork, Buncrana, Co Donegal and Athy, Co Kildare. Work is currently underway at Sligo Courthouse and Limerick Circuit Court.
The courts in Carlow and Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan have also been recently upgraded, and work on smaller venues in Arva, Co Cavan and Borrisokane, Co Tipperary is ongoing.
The refurbishment of Dundalk court is to be formally approved later this week, a plan with an estimatedcost of £8 million.
The Government have allocated a total of £64.9 million to the courts system this year, which is an increase of 113 per cent during the present administration’slifetime.