The proprietor of a pub in Clonmany which had up to 30 people on its premises after-hours has avoided a criminal conviction.
Orla McFeeley appeared before a recent sitting of Carndonagh District Court where she pleaded guilty to offences under the Licensing Act in relation to her premises, McFeeley’s on The Square on February 26, 2018.
Inspector Denis Joyce told the court gardaí called to the premises at 12.20am and heard music playing from the pub. They spoke to Mr James Doherty, the defendant’s husband, and asked him to clear the premises.
Judge Paul Kelly heard when gardaí returned at 12.30am there were still people on the premises consuming alcohol.
On this occasion gardaí told the defendant, Orla McFeeley, to clear the premises.
Inspector Joyce said gardaí counted 30 people leaving the pub, which was cleared by 12.40am.
Solicitor, Mr Ray Lannon told the court that on the night in question, a leaving do had been organised in the pub for two young men from the locality moving to Australia.
Mr Lannon added that his client was a married mother-of-three who employed four part-time staff at the pub with her husband and had no previous convictions.
Giving the defendant an opportunity, the judge struck out the charge after McFeeley made a donation of €300 to St Vincent de Paul.