A GARDA Inspector told a judge that he would be “severely objecting” to an application from a prospective new publican for a licence to run a well-known County Limerick bar and restaurant.
But a worried looking solicitor, Michael O’Donnell, who found himself sitting in the witness box for once, relaxed when Inspector Gearoid Thompson smiled and said he was “quite sure the applicant is fully aware of the legalities surround the running of a pub.”
Mr O’Donnell was applying to Judge Carol Ann Coolican for a licence to run the ‘Corner House’, a much-loved ‘local’ in Dromcollogher.
Mr O’Donnell is well-known and respected member of the legal profession on the circuit in Limerick with an extensive practice in business, personal and criminal law.
The district court, which was sitting in KIlmallock, had just heard a guilty plea in a case where a 16 year-old volunteer accompanied by a plain clothes Garda had been served alcohol in another county pub without being challenged or asked for ID.
Asked by Inspector Thomson if he was aware that Gardaí would be carrying out such test operations to ensure that all pub staff knew of their legal obligations, Mr O’Donnell replied, “I am.”
Judge Coolican granted the licence and wished Mr O’Donnell well in the venture as did the Inspector, on behalf of the Gardaí.
