Statute Law Repeals - Law Commission - Ministry of Justice

4.41 By the mid 19 th century more court and ancillary accommodation was required in
close proximity to the existing court complex. The Four Courts (Dublin) Extension
Act 1858 49 gave the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland the power to
purchase compulsorily or by agreement a suitable site, to demolish any buildings
on it and to build the new courts and offices. The acquisition powers were to be
exercised within five years. The commissioners were also empowered to stop-up
or divert existing streets and sewers and to build new ones. Compensation was
to be paid to property owners where land was acquired compulsorily.
4.42 The Four Courts buildings took on an historic significance for Ireland during the
1922 uprising when anti-Treaty forces captured the building and provisional
government militia attacked the buildings with artillery. The Four Courts building
was badly damaged and the adjoining record office (with its contents) was
destroyed. The Four Courts were subsequently restored. Today, although the
1858 Act has a purpose in Ireland, 50 its utility in the UK has passed.
GROUP 4 - DUBLIN GENERAL POST OFFICE AND RECORD OFFICE
Dublin General Post Office
4.43 In 1783 a General Letter Office and Post Office was established in Dublin at the
hub of a number of sub-offices situated across Ireland. The parliament of Great
Britain authorised its Postmaster General to transfer the Dublin buildings (then at
College Green) to his Irish counterpart. Because in the following years business
increased significantly, enlarged premises were needed. The Dublin General
Post Office Act 1808 51 led eventually (in 1818) to a new post office building being
opened in O’Connell Street.
4.44 The 1808 Act authorised the Postmaster General of Ireland to acquire
landholdings adjoining the existing building, by treaty or compulsorily, so that
enlargement could be effected. In the event of compulsory purchase,
compensation was to be assessed and paid. The scope of the 1808 Act proved
inadequate. The Dublin General Post Office Act 1809 52 permitted the Postmaster
General to acquire the freehold of the land on which the original post office stood
on the same conditions as applied under the 1808 Act. For this purpose the duty
receipts from letter postage could be utilised.
49 21 & 22 Vict. c.84 (1858).
50 It remains live on the Irish statute book.
51 48 Geo.3 c.48 (1808) (“The 1807 Act”).
52 49 Geo.3 c.70 (1809) (“The 1809 Act”).
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