Hotel cancels Leaving Cert party drinks promotion

OBJECTIONS to a Leaving Cert party offering free cocktails for students over 18 who produced their exam results and ID card yesterday led to the event being cancelled.

Parents, teachers and gardaí criticised the event at the Royal George Hotel in Limerick as a “massive drink promotions”.

According to an advertisement in a newspaper the party was due to start today at 4pm with a live DJ.

“There is a massive drinks promotions, produce your Leaving Cert results and get a free cocktail on arrival,” said the advertisement. “Massive giveaways, sexy dancers, party games followed by The Gallery Nightclub where the party continues until late . Over 18s and official garda identification is essential.”

But following concerns expressed by gardaí, teachers and parents, management of the Royal George Hotel in O’Connell Street decided to cancel the bash.

General manager Dermot Hartigan pointed out that, for the past 20 years, the Royal George Hotel has held a Leaving Cert party on the day of the results.

“After consultation with the gardaí, we have decided to cancel tonight’s event. Basically, we had planned for a small Leaving Cert party, but because of the publicity surrounding the event, we have decided to cancel,” said Mr Hartigan.

Gardaí were concerned about drink promotions for young people in the city.

“After the advertisement was brought to the attention of the gardaí this morning, I visited the Royal George Hotel for discussions with the management,” said Inspector Seamus Gallagher, Henry Street Station.

“It was made very clear to the hotel management that such an event involving drinks promotions was not acceptable to the gardaí. We have an excellent relationship with this premises and we are satisfied that such an event as advertised was very much regretted by the management. Consequently, the management have decided to cancel the event,” said Inspector Gallagher.

Gardaí warned they would target drink promotions being held in any establishment for Leaving Cert students.

“To ensure the strict enforcement of the licensing laws , gardaí will be deploying extra personnel throughout the city to make sure that the celebrations are conducted in a proper and law-abiding manner,” said Inspector Gallagher.