Since strike notice was served last week, the Courts Service have been in consultation with the trade unions and staff to clarify the parameters and impact of the strike. Given the level of involvement in the industrial strike proposed for Wednesday and in consultation with the unions, the Courts Service will not be able to support courts and open public counters on Wednesday.
This means Courts are cancelled and public counter service will not be available on Wednesday 14 October 2026, except for
- Emergency domestic violence and childcare applications to provide protection to victims of domestic violence and children requiring emergency care.
- An Garda Síochána applications to remand an accused person in custody where station bail has not been granted; and
- in the High Court to deal with injunctions to protect life, health, safety or welfare.
In granting these derogations, both unions recognise the particular importance and sensitive nature of the work carried out by the Courts Service, as well as the potential severe consequences for the community and vulnerable individuals should urgent, critical matters arise. For those looking for emergency domestic violence or childcare supports on Wednesday they should contact An Garda Síochána who have access to the local courthouse/ court office emergency on-call number. In the case of injunctions in the High Court, please contact the High Court Duty Registrar on 087 609 1359.
We realise that this will cause significant disruption to court users who may have been waiting on a court date this Wednesday. Please note District Courts are automatically adjourned to the next sitting in the same District Court district, except where the judge assigned to the district specifically adjourns the court to a different day. Where courts are adjourned to a different day we will post updates on courts.ie. We will notify all parties when the rescheduled court dates are available.
