Croke Park will host criminal trials during the first three months of 2021

THE COURT SERVICE is set up to use Croke Park to conduct criminal trials during the first three months of the new year.

Trials will take place at the GAA’s on-site conference facilities from mid-January to provide an area that allows those who work and appear in court to do so safely.

The stadium will provide space for three courts to sit, and is planned to host up to 200 days of audience on the field from January to March 2021.

Trials expected to take longer than average will be listed for Croke Park to lessen the impact on the ordinary routines of those involved in court proceedings.

However, the Parkgate Street Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin will continue to focus on trials that take less time to hear.

The cost of hiring the venue is expected to be around € 437,000.

The Courts Service said that certain tests are more suitable for off-site locations and only certain locations are suitable to host them, adding that months of planning had been invested in the Croke Park lease.

The executive director of the service, Angela Denning, commented that Croke Park would ensure that the Court Service could continue to provide access to justice in safe conditions during the pandemic.

“The facility provides a place that respects the importance of the procedures that will take place there, and that respects the professional needs and safety, privacy and dignity of all court users,” he said.

Croke Park’s Mark Dorman added that it was appropriate for the stadium to be used for on-court sessions because “he’s not used to big bad battles.”

“The GAA welcomes Croke Park to the courts, and we hope that we can build on the relationship that has been established over the years by GAA clubs that regularly host court sessions, when needed.” said.