Limerick obvious location for new dedicated Family Court division – Byrne

Limerick should be selected as a location for a new Family Court Division, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Maria Byrne, Leas-Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, said that planned changes to the family justice system represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fundamentally improve how family justice in delivered in this State.

The Family Courts Act 2024 will bring important changes to how family law is handled; including full-time specialist judges assigned to deal with family law within new family court divisions. The first phase of planning has already commenced and in January 2027, three locations will be initially selected to commence operating as family courts in the new system. Each location will require a Family District Court, a Family Circuit Court and a family High Court.

Senator Byrne said: “It is essential that the first phase of implementation is grounded in locations that can best demonstrate the model’s effectiveness from the outset. Limerick is an obvious choice for one of these locations. It hosts a substantial volume of High Court and Circuit Court sittings, with more provincial High Court sittings and Circuit Court sitting than any other location.

“The Central Criminal Court now sits in Limerick on a full-time basis, alongside two sitting Circuit Criminal Courts.

“At District Court level, the case for Limerick is equally compelling. The city carries a significant family law caseload, alongside a high volume of cases involving the Child and Family Agency, Tusla.

“These developments reflect a clear recognition of Limerick’s capability, infrastructure, and strategic importance within the justice system. Limerick also has separate courthouses for criminal and family law matters at Mulgrave St and Merchants Quay. This is a critical, practical advantage. It allows for a more appropriate and sensitive environment for parties before the family courts, many of whom are dealing with deeply personal and often vulnerable circumstances

“The new family law legislation has been put in place to make the court experience less stressful and accessible for families. A cornerstone of this will be the creation of these specialised family court divisions. This change is not simply administrative, it will transform how family law is handled. By removing cases from the broader civil court framework, a new responsive and sensitive environment will aim to resolve often complex and emotional family matters.

“Limerick is ideally located and has the infrastructure in place to support such a change. I would respectfully call for its inclusion in this very important first phase of what promises to be a new chapter in our judicial system,” Senator Byrne concluded.