Irish In The Courts

A chara, - I refer to Kathleen O'Reilly's letter of October 9th and to Mary Phelan's letter of October 15th on the use of the…

A chara, - I refer to Kathleen O'Reilly's letter of October 9th and to Mary Phelan's letter of October 15th on the use of the Irish language in the courts and the availability of translation services for other languages. Your correspondents should not expect instant movements on these fronts by the Courts Service.

Take one simple matter. The Courts Service has failed to translate into Irish its own name. In all its literature and public notices the Irish version of its title is given as An tSeirbh∅s C·irteanna. This is an appalling abuse of the language and is both laughable and lamentable coming as it does from a service of Government.

The correct translation of the English name of the Courts Service into its Irish equivalent is Seirbh∅s na C·irteanna.- Is mise le meas.

Domnall Mac Giolla Eoin, Glencar Irish, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.