The Law Society's warning that cuts to court services are now threatening the "very fabric of our justice system."

It says 77 local courts have been closed since 2008 - with even more facing closure in the near future.

The society says the cuts to the service in recent years are now unjustifiable - and threatens vulnerable citizens.

In the past six years, the Courts Service budget has been reduced by some 40 per cent. The Law Society - which represents solicitors - says that's amounted to the closures of 77 local courts.

The society's director general Ken Murphy says that's no longer sustainable or justifiable - And access to justice for the vulnerable is not being considered by those implementing what he says is a "short-sighted and flawed" policy.

He's warned that the Courts Service is moving from the "low-hanging fruit" of rural areas to urban centres. Proposals are already in place to close Dun Laoghaire, Tallaght, Swords and Balbriggan - leaving just two court venues in the capital.

The Courts Service itself meanwhile says the proposed changes would cause some "inconvenience" - but says it will result in improved services, facilities and support services.