24 June 1998

A Kiltimagh disco operator had his licence endorsed after plain clothes Gardai observed the bar in the N17 niteclub being closed when uniformed Gardai came in and then reopened when they left the premises.

Judge Dan Shields said it was a case where he had given warnings and he imposed a £600 fine and endorsement on Paddy Walsh who runs the N17 premises.

Inspector Jerry Henry told Kiltimagh court on March 29 at 12.40a.m. the premises was inspected by two Gardai. There were 700 people in the premises and most were consuming alcohol. There was no one behind the bar.

They returned at 1.20a.m. and people were still consuming alcohol. Mr. Walsh said the bar had not been opened.

On the night two Gardai from Westport and Castlebar were in plain clothes inside the premises.

Garda Margie Ryan approached Sergeant Stephen Regan when he returned the second time and when she heard what Walsh told Sgt. Regan she confronted him and his son Eamon.

Immediately prior to the Gardai arriving on both occasions the bar was vacated but when they left on the first occasion the staff went behind the bar and started serving again.

Inspt. Henry said when Garda Ryan said she saw drink being served Walsh enquired of his son what had happened but he made no response.

The court heard there were previous convictions from 1995, '96 and two in 1997. The defendant was fined £700 on last conviction in May '97.

Mr. Michael Keane, defence solicitor, said there was no question of an organised scheme to hoodwink the Gardai. When there were hundreds of people in a premises there are difficulties in relation to clearing the premises and so on.

Inspt. Henry told the court: "A lot of complaints are made about premises and the Gardai are having difficulty. It is a well known fact establishments around the county are in a position to inform staff when the Gardai are coming.

"This has happened in other towns in this county as well that is why on the night we employed two members to go in, pay their admission and just note it."

At this stage Judge Shields said: "The situation is I feel I have to endorse."

Mr. Keane said Walsh had four convictions over four years and he would ask the judge not to endorse. If there was difficulty again he could not make this application.

Judge Shields said: "It is a case where I have warned. There was a very large amount of people there. There was consumption."

Mr. Keane again addressed the judge: "I would ask you to deal with this by way of a monetary fine and not endorsement."

Walsh gave a lot of employment locally and on this occasion he did not know that he was involved directly.

Judge Shields said the warning was given. The Gardai came in at a certain time and the staff had resumed serving.

He was imposing a £600 fine "and I will endorse."

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - June 1998