The Shandon Hotel in Portnablagh.
A Donegal hotel is to press ahead with its grand opening after it was granted a drinks license despite court objections by its former owner.
The Shandon Hotel in Portnablagh will now open in April after a massive renovation programme and the creation of 45 new jobs.
The incredible spa facility at The Shandon has been opened for a number of months now and has been extremely busy with hundreds flocking to it weekly.
It comes after its former owner, Dermot McGlade, who lives next to the hotel, objected to the granting of the license at Falcarragh District Court this week.
Mr McGlade claimed that the hotel should not be granted a license as he is taking a case against the hotel owners over a right-of-way at the hotel.
He argued that, in the event of an emergency at the hotel, residents would be forced to come onto his land because the side of the hotel continuing an emergency exit borders his land.
The court heard that the disputed right-of-way is a matter of separate High Court proceedings.
The new owner of the hotel Mr Warren McCarty and his Bar Manager Robert McElhinney were also present in court but did not give evidence.
The court heard that the fire officer had examined the site and previous objections had now been satisfied after works had been carried out.
Mr Denis O’Mahony, solicitor for the Shandon Hotel, said a claim against the granting of a license in relation to a right-of-way was not a valid argument.
He also pointed out that the valid time for Mr McGlade to object under the licensing laws had lapsed.
Judge James Faughnan asked solicitor for the Shandon Hotel, Mr O’Mahony to take some time to explain to Mr McGlade that his objection was out of time.
Judge Faughnan then explained to Mr McGlade that his objection was not valid saying “you fall at the first hurdle because you are out of time.”
He added “This has nothing to do with the license I am granting here today. This is a property dispute and this is a licensing issue. It is doomed. I am striking out the objection and granting the application.”