Despite the immaculate new building provided by the Courts Service of Ireland, barristers have found something indigestible about the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ).

Ireland's lofty legal practitioners have been kicking up a fuss at being forced to use wooden cutlery in the country's state-of-the-art new courts facility.

As a security precaution at the new building, the public canteen can only offer wafer-thin wooden cutlery.

A source said: "What is the point in having metal detectors if people can go to the canteen and take metal cutlery? But the barristers were complaining. They have a private dining area which was being refurbished and so they had to use the wooden cutlery in the public area."

With all courts now in full operation, there are further concerns that long queues may be a problem as a result of just one public entrance.

Both members of the legal profession and the media have complained over scant phone and internet coverage.

Some broadcast staff have missed deadlines as a result of poor coverage. Steps are being taken to correct the situation, which is the responsibility of mobile-phone service providers.

Meanwhile, the Courts Service said its first ever use of a video link up 'overflow' system was a complete success.

With considerable public demand to attend the Eamonn Lillis murder trial, those who could not fit were accommodated in a separate room with a live link-up to proceedings.