Lapdancing clubs face licensing crackdown

GARDAÍ are to object to the renewal of licences for lapdancing clubs as part of a concerted clampdown on the industry, the Irish Examiner has learned.

Gardaí will use a recent court decision to try and close the bulk of Dublin's clubs when their public dance licences come up for renewal in September.

Meanwhile, detectives across the country intend to use evidence from the recent Operation Quest to object to their licences.

The three main lapdancing clubs in Dublin Angels and Strings on Leeson Street and Club Lapello on Dame Street are the first clubs to be targeted.

A case against Strings is due to be mentioned in the Dublin District Court later this month.

Gardaí will argue that a ruling by the circuit court last April in which the Barclay Club licence was refused "effectively overturned" a 2001 ruling whereby lapdancing was interpreted as being public dancing under the Dance Halls Act of 1935.

Officers are expected to show video footage from Strings and argue that the activities contained in the film do not conform with public dancing.

The country's top licensing law barrister believes the Barclay Club judgment strengthens the hand of gardaí.

"I think that judges have taken the view that the dancing that is envisaged in the Dance Halls Act [is] dancing of a traditional nature," said Constance Cassidy.

"I think myself and, it seem clear, most judges, would have a significant difficulty in regarding the unilateral performance for the personal gratification of a customer as coming within the act."

Outside Dublin, the future of lapdancing clubs is also in jeopardy. In Galway, Angels is embroiled in a number of court cases and garda probes.

Next week, a case will resume in Galway District Court involving a Nigerian woman arrested at the Salthill club as part of the Operation Quest raids on June 5. The court has heard that the woman, who is charged under the Aliens Act, fears for her life.

In Cork, Angels has been removed from the two venues it once operated in.

Last September their licence was refused at The Met Bar on O'Sullivan's Quay when gardaí and their own landlord objected.

Angels then moved to The Great Escape. Gardaí again objected and the club was shut down.

A lapdancing club continues at the venue under different management.

The club is being closely supervised and was one of the clubs raided as part of Operation Quest.

In Limerick, the sole remaining lapdancing club, Le Chic, was also raided.

Files are still being prepared across the country in relation to Operation Quest, which is investigating the employment status of lapdancers.

If club owners are charged and convicted under the Employment Permits Act 2003 they will almost certainly loose their licences.