After a lengthy and complex hearing in the District Court yesterday, Judge John McBride reserved judgment until today on an objection to the renewal of the licence of a Finglas pub, the Drogheda Lodge.
A Traveller, Mr John Collins, claimed he was unfairly discriminated against by being barred from the pub, following an incident at which he had not even been present.
On the morning of Saturday, May 23rd, 1998, Mr Collins had several pints at the pub, where he had been a law-abiding customer for 14 years, he said. He claims he left the pub at between 2.30 p.m. and 3 p.m. and did not return.
Members of Mr Collins' and another family had stayed on in the pub. At about 9 p.m. an argument broke out between two women. The gardai were called, and the entire group was asked to leave, the court was told.
Mr Joe Finnegan, manager of the bar, said he could not remember whether Mr Collins had been present during the affray. Nonetheless, he said a management decision was made to bar Mr Collins, and everyone connected with the incident.