Grand Jury Records

The grand juries were an early form of local government that could trace its origins to the Medieval period. The members of a grand jury were appointed by the County Sheriff, usually from the ranks of major land owners. The juries were initially concerned with the administration of justice, but later took on responsibility for building and maintaining public roads, bridges, infirmaries, asylums, work houses, courthouses and gaols. A grand jury was empowered to levy a local county cess (tax or rate), and met at Spring and Summer Assizes, where presentments (works) were assessed and approved. The County of Cork Grand Jury was superseded by Cork County Council in 1898/9, but it retained its judicial function until it was abolished in 1922-1924. There was also a Cork City/County of the City of Cork Grand Jury.