Publican drops ban on Travellers after appeal

A Mayo Traveller, Mrs Bernadette Comiskey, yesterday withdrew her objection to the renewal of a Westport publican's license after…

A Mayo Traveller, Mrs Bernadette Comiskey, yesterday withdrew her objection to the renewal of a Westport publican's license after he gave a written undertaking in court that he will not impose a blanket ban on Travellers again.

Mrs Comiskey, on behalf of Mayo Traveller Support Group was appealing a District Court decision, given by Judge Mary Devins last October, which had ruled that Mr Lavelle was a fit person to hold a publican's license.

Mr Chris Lavelle, a member of the national executive of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland and chairman of the local branch, had imposed the blanket ban after alleged incidents in pubs throughout the area during the annual Croagh Patrick pilgrimage weekend last July. In his statement Mr Lavelle has undertaken that "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".

He further undertook that "he will not seek to propose or advocate the imposition of such a ban by any other publicans in Westport, Co Mayo, or elsewhere". Mr Lavelle said yesterday he was delighted the case has been resolved.

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Mr Kevin Brophy, solicitor for Ms Bernadette Comiskey, said the judgment last October granting Mr Lavelle's license had been extremely disappointing.