Donegal gardaí to object to drinks licences for Christmas Day

Gardaí in Co Donegal have said they will be objecting to drinks licences for pubs and clubs which plan to open on Christmas Day.

Traditionally clubs have opened on the stroke of midnight on Christmas night for festive revellers.

However, Garda Insp David Kelly said they plan to object to licence applications for Christmas night.

He raised the issue at Letterkenny District Court, where he put Judge Paul Kelly on notice that gardaí will be objecting to the special exemption orders.

This will be the third year in which gardaí have sought a ban on the granting of licences for many parts of Donegal.

Insp Kelly said the lack of public transport on Christmas night was one of the reasons why they will be objecting to club and pub openings.

“We have put the judge on notice that we plan to object, and those objections are on the same grounds as for the past couple of years.

“We feel that the lack of public transport on Christmas night is an issue - with so many people emerging onto the street after closing time,” he said.