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.
------------------------
READ MORE:
Ireland may require a referendum as part of Europe’s plans for fiscal union
Silent Night (Christmas 1915) - my song is a gift from above - VIDEO
Certificate of Irish Heritage is now available for Americans of Irish ancestry
-------------------------
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.”
12 Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.sharlot | Dec 12, 2011, 05:38 PM EST
Back in the late 70's, my mother and I were on vacation in Ieland and attending a district court hearing in Ennis just for the "craic"! there were many humourous moments, including when about 15 gardai were all sworn in at once, all trying to put their hand on a very small Bible
IrelandNorth | Dec 12, 2011, 08:07 AM EST
How will the honourable justice presiding deal with liquer licensing laws, drunken driving cases, underage drinking. Will they be able to give sober judgements in such a dubious setting. I presume the bar will be out of bounds for the sittings. Gives undue respectability to the intoxication industry.
catinct | Dec 11, 2011, 02:45 PM EST
I'm simply loving it.
Toonagh | Dec 11, 2011, 07:32 AM EST
Pubs need a boost of income in west clare but this might be stretching it a bit!!!
pilib04 | Dec 11, 2011, 07:07 AM EST
Wonderful idea. Maybe it will spread. Sure would be a good way to cut unnecessary building costs.
sirpeter | Dec 10, 2011, 09:52 PM EST
Assaults,public order breaches and motoring offenses.Hardly Old Bailey stuff.Nothing that can't be solved over a pint.
SeamusMor | Dec 10, 2011, 06:55 PM EST
Ironic. Bar room brawlers will have to return to the scene of their crimes!
seagreen | Dec 10, 2011, 02:34 PM EST
Probably no worse a setting than somewhere else. I'm sure sane judgement will prevail... Would be a bit strange to be convicted of drunk driving in a bar !
Portia777 | Dec 10, 2011, 11:03 AM EST
Might as well, The pub is where all the deals are done by lawyers and barristers anyway.
CitizenWhy | Dec 10, 2011, 10:29 AM EST
Ha ha. Maybe there will be no liquor served because, if this pub is like some others in East Clare (at least when I went there years ago), most people come to the pub through the back door only after closing time.
Murph46 | Dec 10, 2011, 10:24 AM EST
Justice pours slowly,just like a good pint
gobdawpaddy | Dec 10, 2011, 09:06 AM EST
Emblematic of the shambles that is the Irish justice system.