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Irish barmen charged as hotel guest dies from alcohol intoxication

Landmark case begins

EVELYN TIERNAN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, May 4, 2011, 8:26 AM

Updated Wednesday, May 4, 2011, 11:35 AM

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This is the first case of its kind under Ireland's legal liquor liability laws.

Two barmen are due to go on trial this Wednesday in Co. Tipperary for the manslaughter of a British man who died from acute alcohol intoxication on the night of his 26th birthday on June 30.

Gary Wright, 34, a bar manager at the landmark Hayes Hotel in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, and Aidan Dalton, a 29 year old barman, are charged with unlawfully killing hotel guest Graham Parish.

This is the first case of its kind under Ireland's legal liquor liability laws.

Mr. Parish from Nelson, Lancashire, was staying at Hayes hotel in Thurles when he died of alcohol intoxication on July 1, 2008. It is understood that the man choked to death on his own vomit following a night of celebrations.
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Both barmen who are from Borrisoleigh in Co. Tipperary are expected to go on trial at Nenagh Circuit Court on the directions of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The men face manslaughter charges following a complex 16-month investigation led by Supt. Tony Cogan of Thurles Garda station.

Hayes Hotel is located in Liberty Square in Thurles and is a popular haunt of GAA supporters. The GAA was founded in the hotel on November 1, 1884, when it was known as the Hayes Commercial Hotel.

This case is set to raise huge national debate over the responsibility owed to the consumer by bar proprietors and those working in licensed premises.

Nster.com

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15 Comments

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TiocfaidhArmani | May 05, 2011, 05:54 AM EDT

A joke, is a pub supposed to be walk their customers home? Some US laws are just dumn, jbraftree. It's a persons own responsibility to look after themselves.

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Noreen/Ireland | May 04, 2011, 05:38 PM EDT

I am of the opinion that his friends should also be held responsible for this sad event.Graham Parish is not the only person ever to die from over indulgence. He was let down by his friends. The Public Prosecution Department is in very dangerous territory in this case because in a busy hotel lounge/bar it is virtually impossible to watch who is over indulging. The main question is Did the deceased buy the drink solely by himself? - if he did then the bar men may have a case to answer but if his friends were buying the drinks then they should be charged with manslaughter.

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JBRAFTREE | May 04, 2011, 05:25 PM EDT

Bullshiite!!!! The establishment needs to know who they are serving and if they are able to navigate home. I remember a few times I had to follow a friend home. Dependent upon who you were, and your skill level, cops sometimes helped you home. This, of course, is years ago.

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Liamkeyes | May 04, 2011, 04:12 PM EDT

It has happened here in Massachusetts that if a patron leaves the premises and is involved in an accident, the LAST place where alcohol is served is open to prosecution. i.e. if Pub #1 serves the instigator ten drinks and then he goes next door to Pub #2 and has one drink, it's the etablishment that served the last drink is responsible no ifs, ands or buts., even if the person responsible is able to straighten up for a moment and order ONE drink. This has happened numerous times in Massachusetts. It seems very unfair, how can a busy Barman tell? But that's the way the law reads.

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ginger1 | May 04, 2011, 03:35 PM EDT

Suppose the drunk had gotten into a car and killed your family instead of himself? Who would you have blamed then? Unfortunately, you have some sense judgement when you take the first drink... each one after that a bit less... Two bartenders served drinks to a man who was so intoxicated that they each took him by an arm, dragged him to the car, leaned him on the side while one of them climbed in and started the engine... they then proceeded to place him in the drivers seat where he steered the car into my fathers path and killed him... the drunk walked away with barely a scratch. At what point do we draw the line? Surely someone working at the bar noticed this man was way beyond drunk... when they are responsible for more than collecting the money, they will be more accountable.

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haikued2 | May 04, 2011, 03:33 PM EDT

Folks, we are no longer responsible for our own actions and stupid events like over imbibing. So use this as your defense when you get home late at night and the Mrs scolds you...blame it on the bartenders, the chef, the doorman, hell, anyone except yourself...send her out in the night to raise hell with them. Crazy.

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GeorgeDillon | May 04, 2011, 02:53 PM EDT

This is a disturbing case. If the barman poured him ten shots into one big glass then the barman is surely liable. Did they take his money--that must have been 60 nor 70 bucks for that load alone. Innkeepers --and that includes bar workers-- have a duty of care.

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mcdolan | May 04, 2011, 01:36 PM EDT

Hot potato for sure! Bartenders have an obligation NOT

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S.Connolly | May 04, 2011, 01:05 PM EDT

Oh please! This happened in 2008? This is not swift justice and it surely is not justice as all!! No one poured the drink down his throat! Ahh, if a lady of the night choked on a _____ and died does she still get paid? One way to get the Brits!

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eibhleann7 | May 04, 2011, 12:53 PM EDT

Why aren't anyone from his celebration being charged? They were his mates and probably the ones actually buying the drinks for the man. Especially if more than one person was buying, there is no way for the barman to keep track of who was doing the consuming. Unfortunate, but sounds like they are charging the wrong people.

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Toonagh | May 04, 2011, 12:42 PM EDT

Think its unfair but if they were serving him liquor all night and knew he was past sobriety then hotel workers have a code of conduct they have to undertake in certain circumstances. However on a busy night of celebrations individuals are responsible for their own inebriated state.

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kmcahill | May 04, 2011, 12:14 PM EDT

It's nobody's fault but his own. If intact this is the full story.

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cillowen | May 04, 2011, 11:46 AM EDT

drunks are a danger to themselves and everybody else - they bear watching in play pens that's a for sure. I know how close one can come to disaster. There but for the grace of god go I.

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sirpeter | May 04, 2011, 10:55 AM EDT

If he passed out due to acute alcohol intoxication and they had to carry him to bed.They should have got someone to watch over him or called an ambulance.If he walked to bed and choked to death on his own vomit.It's death by misadventure.Must be more to this then meets the eye.

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JohnKinMD | May 04, 2011, 10:05 AM EDT

If I choke on a steak will the cook be charged?

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