The events which unfolded at the Family Court in Smithfield were bound to occur at some stage, given the dearth of security at the building.
Unlike the nearby Four Courts and Criminal Courts of Justice complexes, there is no airport-style security screening at Phoenix House.
Gardaí are also thin on the ground in the building as they are in most civil courts around the country.
This has been an issue of concern for the Courts Service, members of the judiciary and lawyers for several years now.
Garda cutbacks during the recession meant while these concerns were heard and security was reviewed, boots were not actually put on the ground in any great number.
There have been previous disturbances in family and circuit civil courts, some of them quite serious.
In December 2015 a District Court judge was assaulted during a family law sitting.
According to the Bar of Ireland, barristers have also been assaulted.
A spokesman for the Courts Service confirmed senior members of the judiciary had expressed security concerns on a number of occasions.
The Courts Service requested that An Garda Síochána makes additional gardaí available at family law courts.
But it was only very recently that a Garda presence was assigned to Phoenix House.
This was fortuitous as a garda overheard yesterday’s disturbance and was able to call for back-up.
It was also fortuitous there were several gardaí across the road at a sitting of the Children’s Court.
Within minutes members of the Armed Support Unit were also on the scene and the matter was brought to a peaceful conclusion.
An urgent meeting took place yesterday evening between Brendan Ryan, the chief executive of the Courts Service, and senior gardaí.
The incident at Phoenix House is yet another wake-up call.
Next time, the outcome may be a lot more serious.
Courts can be difficult enough places for litigants and those who work there without the added headache of security worries.
Having a garda present during or in the vicinity of proceedings may not fully eradicate disturbances, but it can serve as a significant deterrent or calming influence.
Other things can be done too to lessen the likelihood of disturbances.
This was seen in recent years when court officials began profiling upcoming repossession cases to assess where additional gardaí should be drafted in.
The move followed a number of flashpoints where courts were effectively taken over by anti-authoritarian groups.
Incidents occurred at courthouses in Mayo, Wexford and Limerick.
In some instances county registrars had to flee from their bench or hearings had to be adjourned.
Source: Read Full Article
Home » Analysis & Comment » Shane Phelan: 'Phoenix House incident yet another wake-up call on security in courts'
Shane Phelan: 'Phoenix House incident yet another wake-up call on security in courts'
The events which unfolded at the Family Court in Smithfield were bound to occur at some stage, given the dearth of security at the building.
Unlike the nearby Four Courts and Criminal Courts of Justice complexes, there is no airport-style security screening at Phoenix House.
Gardaí are also thin on the ground in the building as they are in most civil courts around the country.
This has been an issue of concern for the Courts Service, members of the judiciary and lawyers for several years now.
Garda cutbacks during the recession meant while these concerns were heard and security was reviewed, boots were not actually put on the ground in any great number.
There have been previous disturbances in family and circuit civil courts, some of them quite serious.
In December 2015 a District Court judge was assaulted during a family law sitting.
According to the Bar of Ireland, barristers have also been assaulted.
A spokesman for the Courts Service confirmed senior members of the judiciary had expressed security concerns on a number of occasions.
The Courts Service requested that An Garda Síochána makes additional gardaí available at family law courts.
But it was only very recently that a Garda presence was assigned to Phoenix House.
This was fortuitous as a garda overheard yesterday’s disturbance and was able to call for back-up.
It was also fortuitous there were several gardaí across the road at a sitting of the Children’s Court.
Within minutes members of the Armed Support Unit were also on the scene and the matter was brought to a peaceful conclusion.
An urgent meeting took place yesterday evening between Brendan Ryan, the chief executive of the Courts Service, and senior gardaí.
The incident at Phoenix House is yet another wake-up call.
Next time, the outcome may be a lot more serious.
Courts can be difficult enough places for litigants and those who work there without the added headache of security worries.
Having a garda present during or in the vicinity of proceedings may not fully eradicate disturbances, but it can serve as a significant deterrent or calming influence.
Other things can be done too to lessen the likelihood of disturbances.
This was seen in recent years when court officials began profiling upcoming repossession cases to assess where additional gardaí should be drafted in.
The move followed a number of flashpoints where courts were effectively taken over by anti-authoritarian groups.
Incidents occurred at courthouses in Mayo, Wexford and Limerick.
In some instances county registrars had to flee from their bench or hearings had to be adjourned.
Source: Read Full Article