Co Mayo publican and Travellers settle ban row

A Co Mayo publican has given a written undertaking that he will not re-impose a blanket ban on Travellers frequenting his pub.

Mr Chris Lavelle, a member of the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI), gave the written undertaking which was read in court today.

As a result, a member of the Mayo Traveller Support Group Ms Bernadette Comiskey has withdrawn an objection to the renewal of Mr Lavelle's licence.

Ms Comiskey had objected to the renewal of Mr Lavelle's licence at a sitting of the annual Licensing Court in September.

She lodged the objection in response to a blanket ban on Travellers imposed by Mr Lavelle after alleged incidents involving Travellers during the annual Croagh Patrick pilgrimage weekend. It is believed that the offending Travellers were all from England.

"We are delighted with this result," Ms Comiskey said today, "Mr Lavelle accepts his blanket ban was wrong and we are very pleased that he has finally given the undertaking we sought from him from the very outset not to re-impose a ban against Travellers".

In his undertaking Mr Lavelle said he agreed with Ms Commiskey "that in consideration of [her] agreeing to withdraw her objection to the renewal of his on-licence:

1. He will not in the future impose a ban on members of the Travelling Community being served in or being permitted to be on his licensed premises solely on the grounds of their membership of that community;

2. He will not seek to propose or advocate the imposition of such a ban by any other publican or publicans in Westport Co. Mayo or elsewhere."