Any suspension of criminal trials due to coronavirus restrictions will see the deal to rent Croke Park pushed back until later in the year.

The €740,000 deal was expected to see trials hosted in the historic venue for the first three months of the year.

Cabinet is currently meeting to sign off on a range of new restrictions – with the potential for new jury trials to be suspended until February at the earliest.

The High Court has already confirmed that no new jury trials will begin this month.

In a letter to practitioners this morning, High Court President Mary Irvine said any trial listed for hearing before that date will be adjourned.

Trials that are already underway are permitted to continue “subject to strict compliance with public health guidance.”

The same rules will apply for the Special Criminal Court where two planned trials have been put back until February at the earliest.

A decision on the Central Criminal Court and Circuit Courts will be announced following today’s Cabinet meeting.

Should new trials be suspended in both courts, the Croke Park deal will be pushed back with no penalty to the taxpayer.

The deal, which involves a €437,000 payment to the GAA and €302,000 in other costs, was expected to see trials hosted in the historic venue for the first three months of the year.

A Courts Service spokesperson said the contract includes a stipulation that allows the deal to be delayed in light of new Government guidelines with no penalty to the taxpayer.

A Government announcement on the latest restrictions is expected following this afternoon’s Cabinet meeting.

The majority of construction sites and schools are expected to be closed until the end of the month – with exceptions for Leaving Cert students and children with special needs.

Ministers are also discussing plans to block people travelling into Ireland without a negative COVID-19 test.