An Irish court will hear cases  at a local bar in Clare for the foreseeable future after the hotel they were temporarily in was closed down.

Rather than travel 64 miles to the nearest large town, Irish Court Services have “identified reasonable facilities” for the circuit court in the local pub, O’Donovan’s Bar and Restaurant, at Ballina/Killaloe, in east County Clare.

The bar’s owner, Michael O’Donovan, assured the press that no alcohol would be consumed during the court proceedings.

“Oh God no, not at all. The court sitting will take place in a private function room. There is a bar there, but it will be screened off while the court is on,” said O’Donovan. However, he added that soup would be available for all involved.

As of the 3rd January 2012, “...those facing charges, including assaults, public order breaches and motoring offenses, should make their way to O’Donovan’s bar," the Irish Times reports.
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Donovan’s bar is the only licensed premises in the Courts Service’s western region which is used as a court venue since the Kincora Hotel, which they previously used as a court, went into receivership last year.

The decision to use this bar on the shores of Lough Derg as a court venue were finalized following an inspection by the Court Services.

A spokesperson from the Court Services confirmed: “O’Donovan’s bar and restaurant has been identified as a place for court sittings on a temporary basis. We are quite happy that we have identified reasonable facilities.”