Ramsey Commissioners have deemed that discussions taking place in relation to the Courthouse be kept private while negotiations relating to the future of the building are continuing.

The matter did not come up for discussion at all during the public part of Wednesday night’s monthly board meeting in spite of a lot of interest in the topic.

Last month Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey told the House of Keys that the historic building had been put on the market at a price of £475,000.

He said as Minister he had a responsibility to the taxpayer to ensure that the government got the best price it could for the property.

The courthouse is on the market with estate agents Chrystals, who says it’s a ’unique opportunity to acquire a piece of Ramsey’s history’.

There was uproar in the town and a public meeting to oppose the idea.

The commissioners had a meeting about it with Mr Malarkey on April 7.

’Further consideration’ will now be given to the matter before a recommendation is made to Treasury relating to the disposal of the building.

As well as once being a venue for court cases, the building has housed a police station and the town’s main post office.