A lapdancing club has had its licence withdrawn after the Dublin District Court heard evidence that it had been the site of illegal sexual activity.
Yesterday, two gardaí gave evidence that they had witnessed customers groping women dancers at the Barclay Club during a raid at the South William Street premises.
The club's manager, Mr Gerry Harrington, had denied to the gardaí that he was providing sexual services for customers.
Insp John Quirke told the court yesterday he saw three male customers and three female dancers. One woman was putting her clothes back on, another was topless and dancing in front of a man sitting on a chair in a private room. Another man was sitting on a chair as a completely naked woman leaned over him. He was touching her breasts and genital area.
Judge Michael Connellan ruled today that such activity went beyond the legal definition of lapdancing.He also said the club had failed to provide proper, adequate supervision to ensure the rules were not violated.
The proprietors of the Barclay Club, Pineton Inns Ltd, said in statement they were "very disappointed" the decision.
"The overwhelming weight of evidence was that the alleged activities occurred despite extensive precautions taken by the management to prevent patrons from touching performers," the statement said, adding that the matter is now under appeal to the Circuit Court.
The club can remain open pending to result of the appeal.