FORMER Kerry footballer, broadcaster, teacher and newspaper columnist Pat Spillane was yesterday awarded over €19,500 at the Circuit Civil Court in Tralee.
Spillane had taken the case against a former tenant of his bar, Pat Spillane’s Bar, for rent owed and restoration of the bar.
The defendant, Michael O’Connor, a father of two who is now unemployed, represented himself in court, saying he could not afford legal counsel.
He had taken out a lease in 2005 and had vacated the premises of his own accord in February 2008.
He denied damage to property, saying he left the bar in the same state in which it had been given to him and had carried out improvements during his tenure.
Mr O’Connor, Fuschia Court, Páirc na Gloine, Kenmare, also told the court the business at the rural bar he leased from Spillane had gone down drastically in the 2006/2007 period because of the smoking ban and drink driving restrictions
During the first good year, he had made a profit of about €20,000.
However business “deteriorated dramatically” and he had to borrow to pay his VAT bill.
The bar is currently in the hands of a new tenant.
The lease stipulated rent of €2,500 a month, a figure which doubled during July and August, the busy tourist months.
In the Civil Bill, Spillane had claimed over €31,000 in total, some €14,500 was for five months’ rent, and more than €14,000 which was for “restoration” of the premises.
Other money was for water charges and rates, but Kerry County Council had waived this.
However, the court heard “a vast amount” of the works carried out and claimed for in the figure – included replacing the old trough toilet system with urinals – was in the nature of “vast improvement” of what was an old building.
Judge Ray Fullam allowed just €5,000 for restoration.
Spillane confirmed to reporters he was still working as a teacher and was vice-principal in a secondary school in Bantry. He also works for RTÉ and for the Sunday Worldnewspaper.
Judge Fullam awarded €19,520 to Spillane, plus costs.