Shebeen raided for a fourth time

THE controversial Southill shebeen was raided by gardaí for a fourth time last night and all alcohol was confiscated.

Apparently the shebeen, which is known as Ma Kelly’s, was packed at the time.

A party of gardaí from Roxboro Road Garda Station arrived at about 9.30pm and were admitted to the shed where the shebeen was located.

A member of the Kelly family, who own the premises, said a short time later they had restocked and their guests were temporarily inconvenienced.

The Southill shebeen controversy took a twist earlier yesterday when it emerged Limerick City Council is investigating if the shed contravenes the planning laws.

The shebeen, known locally in Southill as Ma Kelly’s, was doing what one resident described as a roaring trade earlier yesterday.

The shebeen has already been raided by gardaí on three occasions and substantial amounts of alcohol removed. However, Francis Kelly, the man who is providing the drinking facility, claims it is for his friends in the locality and that he buys drink on their behalf and serves it up to them in the shed.

Limerick City Council sources said the use of the shed as a pub may contravene the planning laws, as no application was made for a change of use of the shed.

A Garda spokesman said last night that a file on the three earlier raids is being prepared for the DPP. Gardaí have been monitoring the areas around the shebeen and numbers going there have risen in recent days due to the publicity about it.

Mr Kelly said yesterday: “I have still got many of my friends coming in today to enjoy a drink as guests of mine. We are doing nothing wrong and everybody is enjoying themselves in the comfort of the premises I’m running... this is not an illegal situation.”

Guests at the shebeen yesterday launched a fund to raise money to fight any legal battle to ensure what they describe as a community amenity remains open.

One guest said: “We are all behind Francis Kelly.

“He has done more for Southill here in the shed than the whole regeneration crowd,” he said.

Meanwhile, it is believed two pubs in the Southill area have seen a significant drop in business in recent weeks. It is understood the Limerick branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland will discuss the issue shortly.