Report - Crumlin Road Courthouse, Belfast, N.Ireland - back in 2008

[slinky2000]

Hey everyone, I was looking through my flickr the other evening and I realised I only ever processed 5 pictures from a urbex trip I did back in 2008. So I got busy last night and processed a few more.

Visited back in the way with BillAnd, Rookinella, Irishmanlost and Pacie

Some info:

The Courthouse served as the main “Crown Court” for Belfast as such many of the most signifigant trials in Nothern Irish s history took place in this building and it remains a huge part of our Legal History. The last execution in N.Ireland was ordered from these very benches, its important to remember for the first 50 years of this Courthouses history these were public hanging’s. It’s dock has had some vistors of note such as NI Politicians Gerry Adams, Ian Paisley and the late David Ervine as well as the infamous Lenny Murphy the leader of the so called Shankill Butchers.

Whilst Prisoners today appear in Court via video link or are brought by bus from HMP Maghaberry in Lisburn. Crumlin Road Courthouse prisoners were quite literally “sent down” as the courthouse was linked to Crumlin Road jail by an underground passage that was used to bring prisoners to and from the jail.

The Courthouse closed in June 1998, much of the work of “The Crum” was transferred to the new Laganside Court buildings which face the Royal Courts of Justice on Chichester Street in the city centre. Which, while a leap forward in modernisation, “Laganside” lacks a great deal of the athmosphere and grandeur of this old building and to me has a bit of a Travelodge feel.

 

[GMC85]

Hi slinky2000,

Awesome pics. I don't know if you still look at this forum, but if you do could you let me know how to access the court? It's been on my list for a while now.

Cheers,

Gary