A district court judge has described the decision by the courts service to close three rural court buildings in Mayo as "nonsensical".
Judge Mary Devins said she had no choice but to speak out against the transfer of Claremorris, Kiltimagh and Swinford courts to Castlebar.
Judge Devins said it cost the court service just over €17,000 a year to hold the sittings in their current locations.
She said that compared to the €20m a year spent on the criminal courts complex in Dublin, it didn't make sense to close the Mayo courts.
In a statement, the courts service said the transfers would reduce waiting times, and facilitate family law days, children's hearings and licensing courts.
But Judge Devins said these courts were running efficiently and there were no waiting lists in Mayo.
She said there was a complete disconnect between the courts service and the administration of justice.
Judge Devins said people in Mayo were entitled to have their cases heard conveniently.
She said eight court buildings have closed in the last ten years. These latest transfers are due to take place in January. The Judge was speaking at a sitting of Claremorris Court earlier today.
