Manager is ‘utterly unsuitable’ to run licenced premises

THE manager of the only hotel on Inis Mór has been told by a District Court judge that he is “utterly unsuitable” to run a licenced premises.

At a special sitting of Aran District Court yesterday, the management of Ostán Arann, on the largest of the Aran Islands, was given two months by Judge Mary Fahy to comply with the law or risk losing their licence.

Nine islanders along with Sergeant Vincent Jennings objected to the renewal of the hotel’s liquor licence, which was due to for renewal yesterday.

Island GP Dr Marian Broderick said she had never objected to anything in her life but had no choice now. “We have suffered greatly at all hours of the night, with loud music and people talking outside,” the doctor said.

She also saw the effects of the late-night drinking at all hours in her surgery. On numerous occasions she had to deal with people injured in the early morning. There had been a number of assaults and a couple of other serious accidents also.

“The hotel was a very welcome development on the island but things changed earlier this year and it had been a nightmare since,” she added.

Inis Mór Vocational School principal, Michael Gill, said he was well aware that drunk people were being served more alcohol at the bar and he had great concerns for young people.

Sergeant Jennings told the court he had received numerous complaints from local people about after- hours drinking. He had called to the hotel after 2.30am on a number of occasions to find the place packed with people drinking and dancing.

Garda Brian O’Donnell said he had called to the hotel on several occasions. On April 5 at 2.45am there was a large crowd present. Mr Madigan told him at the time: “You are not the officer of the law. Only a judge can tell me to close. You are only harassing us.”

The matter was adjourned until November 2.