Six men found in bar having pints for breakfast at 10am

October 8, 2018

A bar-owner whose staff served six pints to men with their breakfast has been fined €750.

Martin Coyle, licensee of the Village Inn in Kerrykeel, was charged with allowing alcohol to be served on his premises outside of hours.

Gardai told Letterkenny District Court they called to the bar at 10.06am on July 23rd, 2017.

They found six men on the premises with freshly-pulled pints of beer in front of them.

Barwoman Grainne Farrell told Gardai that the men had come in for their breakfast and she had served them pints.

The bar was not due to serve alcohol until noon.

Solicitor for the accused, Mr Kieran Dillon, told the court that his client was doing the best to survive in difficult circumstances within the bar trade.

The court was told that Mr Coyle has 24 previous convictions, with one being heard in court on July 20th – three days before this breach.

Judge Paul Kelly said Mr Coyle was a “habitual offender” under the licensing laws.

He asked how the bar managed to get a license under the annual licensing court with so many offences.

“There are compliant license holders facing similar struggles to keep their heads above water,” he said.

He fined Mr Coyle €750.


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