A Publican had his drinks licence restored yesterday after making a full apology to two Travellers he refused to serve on his premises in November, 1997.
Last September, Mr Jackie Whelan, licensee of the Railway Bar, O'Connell Street, Ennis, Co Clare, lost his licence after a settled Traveller, Mr David McDonagh, objected to the renewal of his licence at Ennis District Court. Mr McDonagh, his wife Margaret and Mr McDonagh's uncle had been refused alcohol on Mr Whelan's premises.
Mr Whelan appealed the District Court's decision - which ruled that Mr McDonagh was refused alcohol for no other reason than that of being a Traveller - to Ennis Circuit Court which heard yesterday the licence would be restored after Mr McDonagh of Waterpark View, Ennis, withdrew his objection. This followed a written apology to the McDonaghs - contained in a letter sent to the McDonaghs' solicitor, Mr Justin Sadleir, on February 8th - read out in court yesterday by counsel for Mr Whelan.
The court was told Mr Whelan apologises to the McDonaghs "for any distress that the incident on his premises may have caused. Mr Whelan fully appreciates how your clients interpret the events of that day as they do and he very much regrets any offence or upset which may have been caused".
In addition to the letter read out in court, Mr John Punch, for Mr Whelan, told the court the publican also accepted that no aspersions were cast on the character of the McDonaghs and accepts that there was no misbehaviour on the occasion in question.
Judge Sean O'Leary congratulated both sides on the outcome, commenting he was very glad that an agreement had been reached.
In September 1997, another Ennis pub, Dillingers, lost its licence after Mr McDonagh objected to the licence being renewed after being refused alcohol on the premises. The licence was subsequently restored at Ennis Circuit Court, where the licensee accepted Mr McDonagh's version of events and apologised to him.