Green Street Court House
Encyclopedia
Green Street Court House, Dublin, was the home of the Special Criminal Court
until it moved to the new Criminal Court of Justice building near Phoenix Park in 2010. The Green Street court house (located on Green Street) is in the Smithfield
area of Dublin and now handles civil cases, particularly custody cases.
It was built in 1797 on the site of the old Newgate Gaol. The architect is believed to have been Whitmore Davis. The building was remodelled between 1837 and 1842 by Michael Semple
. There was a royal visit in 1849, and the court was the venue of several noted trials such as those of Wolfe Tone, Robert Emmett in 1803, John Mitchel
in 1848 and other Fenian
leaders.
It was extensively used during the troubles 1970 to 1990s including in 1976 the trial arising from the Herrema
kidnapping.
Special Criminal Court
The Special Criminal Court is a juryless criminal court in the Republic of Ireland which tries terrorist and organized crime cases. Article 38 of the Constitution of Ireland empowers the Dáil to establish "special courts" with wide-ranging powers when "the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure...
until it moved to the new Criminal Court of Justice building near Phoenix Park in 2010. The Green Street court house (located on Green Street) is in the Smithfield
Smithfield, Dublin
Smithfield is an area on the northside of Dublin. Its focal point is a public square, formerly an open market, now officially called Smithfield Plaza, but known locally as Smithfield Square or Smithfield Market....
area of Dublin and now handles civil cases, particularly custody cases.
Michael Semple
Michael Semple is an Irish expert on Afghanistan and Pakistan. From 2004 to 2007, he served as deputy to the European Union special representative for Afghanistan until being expelled by the Afghan government due to engaging in "unauthorised activities". Semple is a fluent Dari speaker, and has...
. There was a royal visit in 1849, and the court was the venue of several noted trials such as those of Wolfe Tone, Robert Emmett in 1803, John Mitchel
John Mitchel
John Mitchel was an Irish nationalist activist, solicitor and political journalist. Born in Camnish, near Dungiven, County Londonderry, Ireland he became a leading member of both Young Ireland and the Irish Confederation...
in 1848 and other Fenian
Fenian
The Fenians , both the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish Republican Brotherhood , were fraternal organisations dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish Republic in the 19th and early 20th century. The name "Fenians" was first applied by John O'Mahony to the members of the Irish republican...
leaders.
It was extensively used during the troubles 1970 to 1990s including in 1976 the trial arising from the Herrema
Tiede Herrema
Dr Tiede Herrema is a Dutch businessman.In the 1970s, Herrema ran a wire factory, Ferenka, in the city of Limerick, Ireland. At the time, he was the city's biggest employer, with approximately 1,400 workers. On 3 October 1975 he was abducted near his home by two members of the Provisional Irish...
kidnapping.