Belfast Crumlin Road Courthouse
Crumlin Road Courthouse Photos
About Crumlin Road Courthouse
The Crumlin Road Courthouse is directly opposite the Crumlin Road Gaol. The entrance to the courthouse has a portico of eight Greek classical Corinthian columns surmounted by a pediment, where within the cornices of its pediment resides the two heraldic beasts of the lion and unicorn either side of the Royal Coats of Arms. Atop the pediment stands the commanding figure of Justice, the work of Dublin sculptor Boyton Kirk.
The Courthouse is a two-storied building boasting a Neo-Palladian classical style. It was designed by Belfast’s famous County Surveyor, Sir Charles Lanyon. In 1905 the courthouse was enlarged to the designs of Young and Mackenzie, when new blocks were added either side of the façade. The recesses bricked up and a stucco finish applied to the entire building. The amendments destroyed much of the detail of Lanyon’s original work.
Sir Charles was instructed that the cost of the building should not exceed £16,000, though eventually a tender of £16,500 was accepted. The courthouse was completed and formally opened in 1850.
To the right hand side of the main hall is the Reserve Court. This view is from the back looking toward the judge’s bench. Defendants would have been tried here for less serious crimes such as stealing, burglary, and anti-social behaviour. Members of the public would have sat at the back. Hidden stairways behind the judge’s bench lead upstairs. Another door way beside the juror’s seats lead into a rest and refreshments area for them.
Of course for those defendants and prisoners this next part of the Courthouse lacked any of those comforts. Towards the back of the building is a stair way leading down into the now dark and cold basement. Thick, prison bars no doubt signal that this is where the prison cells are located. Incidentally, the most talked about feature of the Courthouse is the underground tunnel that links it to the Crumlin Road Gaol. The tunnel was constructed in 1852 and was used to escort prisoners to court. It’s located here next to the prison cells. Unfortunately, it’s currently blocked up although this photo shows what it currently looks like on the other side of the door.
Up another set of stairs from the basement here is this smaller court room. Prisoners could easily be sneaked in and out of the courts via these passage ways without meeting members of the public.
Back down in the basement is another room probably used as some sort of storage. Papers and books are lying around suggesting this was where records were kept. Incredibly, one book here called the ‘Registrars Minute Book’ shows names written in ink and dating to 1885, not long after the Courthouse was first opened.
It must be remembered that in those early days very few people were convicted of political offences. In fact, the majority of crimes committed were by poor and illiterate men, women and children. Most male convicts had committed larceny involving small amounts of money, clothing, handkerchiefs, leather or piece of jewellery. Punishment handed-out was often transportation to foreign lands like Australia and the term of convict only applied to serious crimes such as stealing a cow or burglary.
This is the highest court in the building called the Crown Court where more serious crimes like murder and assault would have been dealt with. In the latter years of course, political prisoners from Catholic and Protestant sides were tried here. A large partitioned off area can be seen at the back obviously to prevent the public from physical contact with defendants whether for good or bad intentions.
Some of those more famous names that were marched through these doors included Gerry Adams Sr. – IRA member, Gusty Spence – UVF member, Michael Stone – UDA member, Billy Wright – LVF leader, Lenny Murphy – leader of the Shankill Butchers and Ian Paisley – Previous DUP leader and First Minister in the NI Assembly.
Up on the first floor were mainly offices for clerical staff and court officials. The hidden stair ways earlier mentioned behind the judges’ benches also lead up here. Views from the windows look out over the Shankill area at the back and Crumlin Road Gaol to the front.
This gallery looks over the foyer of the main entrance.
The Crumlin Road Courthouse finally closed in June 1998, after nearly 150 years of continuous usage. The site was sold to local investor Barry Gilligan for £1 in September 2003. Given the hatred and pain that marred the history of this building Gilligan’s plans for the courthouse include redeveloping it as a tourist attraction and hotel – an ironic end but at last one step to re-conquer this area for the good of both communities and establish a future based on economic prosperity rather than political conflict.
References
http://www.courtsni.gov.uk/en-GB/?UserPref=culture%5Een-GB
External Links