A judge has called a halt to a Donegal “tradition” after hearing Gardai and the public were being put at risk as a result.
Donegal drinkers will be left thirsty on Christmas night!
Nightclubs across Donegal have traditionally opened at one minute past midnight on December 26th to allow Christmas revellers celebrate the festive season, Letterkenny court heard.
But now a Judge has ended the tradition after Garda objections heard the custom led to fighting and all sorts of other problems.
Garda Supt Eugene McGovern told the court that one Garda was still off work after receiving injuries last year.
Solicitors sought five special exemption orders for bar licenses at Letterkenny District Court yesterday.
The applications were made on behalf of Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey, Patsy Dan’s club, Dunfanaghy, the Fleet’s Inn, Downings, Simpsons Club, Carndonagh, and The Bailey, Recastle
Supt McGovern said “This doesn’t relate to any of these premises but last Christmas two of my officers were very seriously assaulted, one of whom still hasn’t been able to return to work,” he told Judge Paul Kelly.
The senior Garda said he hadn’t objected to the license applications last year because Christmas had happened on a weekend.
He added that fast food outlets had planned to open until 4am to serve the crowds expected at the clubs.
“Our experience is that the patrons drink in the queues before the opening.
“And then there is an ongoing issue with local people due to noise.
“Fortunately in most areas of the country clubs don’t open on Christmas night. There is a history of opening here in Donegal.”
Judge Paul Kelly said the evidence spoke for itself and said alcohol was the core factor for 95% of public order cases before him.
“Supt McGovern and Sgt Lynch have given evidence of their concerns which are well founded and grounded in public safety,” said the judge.
“They went out of the way to compliment the premises concerned. However on a daily basis in courts here we deal with a substantial number of public order offences and possibly 95% of them arise out of excessive consumption of alcohol.
“The case are sadly always the same; a crowd spills onto the street, rows start and public order offences take place and in often injuries arise, sometimes bad injuries.”
He refused the license applications in all cases.