Fears over the spread of the Coronavirus prompted a district court judge to tell a court today he that would prefer anyone coughing to withdraw from a packed courtroom.
Judge Patrick Durcan interrupted one of the cases before him today at Gort District Court after he heard a person coughing at the back of the court.
Benches in the large room where sittings of Gort District Court are held twice a month were packed today.
After a number of coughs were heard from the body of the court while a case was going on, Judge Durcan interrupted the case and asked “who is coughing?”
After an elderly woman at the back of the room identified herself as the person coughing, Judge Durcan asked: “Does the lady have business in court? You have a case have you?
After the woman stated that she wasn’t there for any particular case, Judge Durcan asked: “Why are you here?”
In response, the woman stated: “I am just attending.”
In reply, Judge Durcan stated: “I would prefer – you are more than welcome to attend. That’s alright, but in view of the international health situation, I would prefer anyone coughing would withdraw.”
He stated: “It is being fair to everyone else. But you are very welcome other than that. If you feel you won’t cough anymore, you are very welcome to stay. I will leave it to your own judgment.”
Shortly after, the woman left the court as Judge Durcan continued to hear cases.
