Perspex screens, around half-an-inch in thickness, have been installed in front of the bench in some courtrooms to protect public health.

Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy, sitting in the High Court on Tuesday, said the screens were having an impact on her ability to hear proceedings, The Irish Times reports.

The screens are part of a package of measures introduced by the Courts Service in response to COVID-19 in order to allow the courts to continue functioning.

The Service has appointed a full-time health and safety officer with responsibility for reviewing such measures, and is also establishing a consultative user group to ensure that court users are involved in informing decisions.