Old courthouse regains protected status

REPRESENTATIONS from members of the public and the Old Tuam Society have succeeded in ensuring the Old Tuam Courthouse continues to be listed as a protected structure.
The derelict building on Dublin Road was one of a number of structures that was set to be relieved of its protected structures status in Galway County Council’s latest development plan.
However, the motion put forward by Fianna Fail’s Donnagh Killilea surprised many residents and was criticised by the Old Tuam Society as a “most unwelcome development”. The society called for the councillors to return protected status to the public building which it pointed out has been associated with judicial proceedings since the 1830s.
As the proposal was part of the draft plan, it allowed further submissions to be made from the public and the strength of the case outlined in favour of protecting the Courthouse has led Councillors to changing their mind.