Judge directs nightclub owners to install CCTV

A CORK family whose son died in controversial circumstances last night welcomed a district judge's decision to make close circuit television cameras compulsory in and around nightclub venues.

Judge Michael Patwell warned nightclub owners in district court areas of north and east Cork he will refuse to renew dance licences if they fail to install CCTV.

The judge said his decision was prompted by the increase in late-night assaults at or near nightclubs and the likely conflicts of evidence which arise in subsequent court cases.

Judge Patwell said he has the power under the Dance Halls Act to direct nightclub owners to install CCTV.

Currently, the Director of Public Prosecutions is reconsidering the case of victim Adrian Moynihan who died from asphyxiation after being restrained by doormen while attempting to enter a nightclub in Cork last year.

Andrew Moynihan, father of the 23-year-old victim, said last night that Judge Patwell's decision merited full support. "We are anxiously awaiting the DPP's decision in Adrian's case where close circuit cameras captured some of his last moments before his death," said Mr Moynihan, whose family had campaigned for the DPP to reconsider the case.

"As a family, we're still going through hell as we wonder will it ever end. My wife (Elizabeth) remains in an awful state over Adrian's death and finds it very hard to go out in public again." The reconvened inquest into the death of Mr Moynihan from Ballincollie Road, Spring Lane, Ballyvolane had followed an earlier adjournment arising from the possibility of criminal proceedings. A garda file was originally sent to the DPP but proceedings were not issued over the incident at the Sidetrax nightclub in Cork on March 25 2001.

Meanwhile, Judge Patwell indicated earlier this month at annual licensing courts he had intended introducing compulsory CCTV for night-clubs and dance halls.