A Judge has saved Christmas for revellers in a small Co Donegal town.
Gardai had objected to a dance license for the Fleets Inn disco in the seaside village of Downings on Christmas night for two hours from 12.01am until 2am.
Garda Inspector Barry Doyle said they had concerns as there would be only ‘skeleton staff’ on call that night.
He told Letterkenny District Court that he was concerned that it would be difficult to get emergency response staff such as Gardai and ambulance personnel because it was Christmas night.
He also had concerns about the lack of taxis in the area at the time when up to 250 people piled out onto the street after the disco on Christmas night.
Solicitor Conor McLaughlin said there had been the same objection last year.
However, the license was refused in the district court but was successfully appealed to the circuit court.
He said that three premises across Donegal had been granted licenses for Christmas night dances last year.
He said a limit of 250 patrons had been put on the Fleets Inn last year but only 187 people attended the disco.
He said that up to five bouncers would be employed on the night, a taxi firm operated in the area and that there had been no trouble during or after the dance.
He said that as far as he knew this premises was the only one in Donegal applying to have a disco on Christmas night this year.
Judge Paul Kelly said perhaps it could be the case then that people from all over Donegal would come to Downings for the only Christmas night dance.
He asked Mr McLaughlin if the premises planned to advertise the event.
He was told that it was unlikely at this late stage because print companies were too busy.
Judge Kelly said he was granting the license but said he was limiting the tickets to a total of 250.
He said that he also wanted tickets for the event numbered and that if it was being advertised then those attending should be told that it is by ticket only.
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