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Donal O'Regan, 28 Sep
AN OBJECTION was made against a Limerick pub being granted a music and
singing licence by a man who said he can’t go to bed until 1am, his
grandchildren can’t visit, and he can’t watch television due to the
noise.
[INS: :INS]
The matter was heard before Judge Carol Anne Coolican during the annual
licensing court in Newcastle West.
The application for the licence was made by Oakmine Limited on behalf
of Kevin O’Rourke, of the Shanid Inn in Shanagolden.
Mr O’Rourke, who has over 20 years’ experience in the pub business,
took the stand. He confirmed to his solicitor Valerie Noonan that he
took over the pub last year and that nights and parties with music are
very important to the business’s commercial viability and keeping on
staff.
Mr O’Rourke said the music stops 15 to 30 minutes before closing time.
He said there have been 12 to 18 parties, “not even 18”.
The objector entered the witness box and said he has lived beside the
Shanid Inn in Shanagolden for 12 years.
“It is our home. Since the pub reopened when there are live music
events we can hear it in our property. We couldn’t go to bed until 1am,
we couldn’t have our grandchildren over because they go to bed at a
certain time, we couldn’t watch TV due to the noise - it has put
enormous strain on our quality of life and mental health,” said the
objector who contacted gardai.
“The garda found out they didn’t have a music and singing licence. She
got the music discontinued,” said the objector.
Ms Noonan put it to the objector that the pub has been a licensed
premises for 70 years and he would have been aware when he moved to
that house that there would be people coming and going and it would be
normal to have a lot of noise until closing time.
“It’s a public house,” said Ms Noonan.
[fisheries-1695742061397.jpg--three_men_convicted_of_illegal_fishing_of
fences_on_river_shannon.jpg?1695742062177]
Three men convicted of illegal fishing offences on river Shannon
The objector said public houses have to be licensed for music and up to
the present it didn’t have a licence (for music and singing).
“The music is encroaching on our lives. We can’t sit in the house with
music blaring through our walls,” he said.
Ms Noonan said her client is trying to run a business.
“We are happy to compromise and set a fixed amount - 12 to 15 parties a
year,” said Ms Noonan.
Judge Carol Anne Coolican said they are going to be neighbours going
forward no matter what she does.
The judge said she was going to rise to allow the parties to discuss
the matter privately.
After the judge returned, Mr O’Rourke said he was willing to
compromise.
“Twelve to fifteen events, finish at 12.15am and I will give as much
notice as we can. Instead of 52 weekends I’m only doing 12 to 15,” said
Mr O’Rourke.
The objector said there is the cost of having to leave their home for
15 weekends a year.
Ms Noonan said her client is giving up having live music up to 40
weekends a year.
The objector asked that the music finish at 11.30pm as people have to
sleep.
Mr O’Rourke said that was not feasible.
“If we stop the music at 11.30pm people will laugh at us,” he said.
Judge Coolican granted the music and singing licence to the Shanid Inn
in Shanagolden with the conditions that there are to be a maximum of 14
nights a year and the music finishes by midnight.
“If either party is dissatisfied they can appeal,” said Judge Coolican.