Traders debate future use for Portlaoise courthouse
Local businesses in Portlaoise have discussed potential future uses for the town’s courthouse building, but failed to reach agreement, the Leinster Express reports.
The Courts Service of Ireland is planning to build a new courthouse in Portlaoise, leaving the future of the Main Street courthouse in doubt.
At the AGM of the Downtown Portlaoise Traders Group on Monday, local business owners noted that it has been proposed to be turned into a museum or an art gallery.
However, one delegate sounded a note of caution over that proposal, saying that the group “should be careful what we wish for”.
The courthouse in Portlaoise is widely believed to be disrupting business in town due to both high traffic and regular police incidents.
The critical delegate suggested that the courthouse building be repurposed as a government department instead.