Moves to appoint a new Mayo County Registrar are 'ongoing'

The acting Minister for Justice Heather Humphreys has assured Mayo TD Alan Dillon that all county registrar vacancies which has arisen in recent years has been replaced - and there are no plans to close any District Probate Registry.

She elaborated: "I can confirm that there are 14 serving county registrars serving, with three vacancies currently outstanding in Louth, Mayo/Roscommon and Waterford.

"I wish to advise Deputy Dillon that recruitment competitions are currently either ongoing or in the planning stage to identify persons for recommendation to government for appointment to the three vacant positions as mentioned."

The Courts Service Act 1998 sets out the nature of the relationship between the Courts Service and the County Registrar.

The post of county registrar is a statutory officer appointed by the government, with a number of different roles, including under-sheriff and returning officer functions.

When such posts become vacant, arrangements are made with the Courts Service and the Public Appointments Service to run an open recruitment competition to identify suitable persons for recommendation to government for appointment.

The Mayo post has been vacant since the retirement of Fintan Murphy earlier this year.