Criminal Courts Complex

Criminal Courts Complex

Criminal Courts Complex

The Criminal Courts Complex beside Dublin’s Phoenix Park is one of Ireland’s most renowned civic buildings, which was voted by the public as Ireland’s best new building at the 2010 Irish Architecture Awards. The landmark circular building on Parkgate Street was Ireland’s largest court project for over 200 years, driven by modern technological innovation.

Client : Irish Courts Service
Service : Public sector
Architect : Henry J Lyons & Partners
Quantity surveyors : Boyd Creed Sweet
Structural engineer : DBFL Engineers
Services engineer : V. Tierney & Co
Value : €140 million

The Criminal Courts Complex is an 11-storey concrete structure, clad with a mixture of twin skin and unitised façade systems, totalling 12,000 m². It houses 22 courtrooms and 630 rooms in total, with a striking entrance through a public plaza into the 28-metre high Great Hall. The 22 courtrooms are equipped with advanced facilities for video conferencing, digital recording and displaying evidence electronically.

The building has segregated spaces for judicial, jury and custodial accommodation, with dedicated facilities for legal professionals and media. All offices, consultation rooms and witness and victim support facilities have enhanced privacy and security features.

The building makes dynamic use of space, with vast circulation spaces (including 27 lifts), a cafeteria and 70 car spaces, with two access points for vehicles.

PJ Hegarty delivered this multi-award-winning project three months ahead of schedule.