The ban on Travellers drinking in Westport's pubs is still in place. The chairman of the town's vintners' group, Mr Chris Lavelle, said yesterday that the ban would remain "for as long as it takes".
While the Minister of State for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Willie O'Dea, had asked the vintners not to impose a statewide ban at their meeting on Tuesday, Mr Lavelle said that media reports after the meeting were "somewhat different" to his understanding of what had occurred.
"I believed Minister O'Dea was sympathetic. We accept that the equality legislation will not change. I understood there would be a legislative change in licensing laws."
Referring to reports that the Minister might "tweak" the law, Mr Lavelle said: "Tweaking is not good enough for us or for people who were intimidated and frightened for their lives three weeks ago. Willie O'Dea did not ask Westport vintners to lift the ban. The ban will stay for as long as it takes."
Mr Lavelle admitted that publicans were breaking the law. "I know we are breaking the law. I know our licences will be objected to, but if we do not have control over our own premises we are as well to close our doors anyway."
He added: "We would love to have Travellers in our premises if they behave like everyone else. I have a feeling that this issue will be back on the national agenda."