Calls are being made on the Justice Minister to meet local TDs from East Cork to discuss the planned closure of the Courts Service office in Youghal
The closure means that victims of domestic violence in Youghal will only have local access to courts services in the town every Friday and otherwise will have to travel to or telephone the Courthouse on Washington Street in Cork city
The decision to close the court offices in the town is on health and safety grounds.
The matter was raised in the Dáil by Deputies David Stanton and Seán Sherlock who say the Government has a duty to protect the women who rely on these services.
Deputy Sherlock says vulnerable women should not be forced to travel to Cork to get the support they need:
"The good administration of justice must be delivered to people without impediment. You cannot create a situation where women, in particular vulnerable women, who are subject to domestic violence will have to get on buses and go to Cork to Anglesea Street. It's absolutely disgraceful".
