 The building was originally used as a facility for dispensing justice but, following the implementation of the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, which established county councils in every county, it also became the meeting place for Longford County Council.A county secretary's office was subsequently established in Dublin Road.The courthouse fell into a state of disrepair, and after the county council had moved to County Hall at Great Water Street in 1992 and the Courts Service had started using alternative premises in 1994, an extensive programme of refurbishment works was carried out and completed in 2006.