Landmark intoxication case adjourned

A LANDMARK prosecution which sees hotel barmen charged with manslaughter arising out of the death of a guest who died from acute alcohol intoxication was adjourned to May 3 at Nenagh Circuit Court.

Gary Wright, 33, bar manager at Hayes Hotel, Thurles, and barman Aidan Dalton, 28, both with addresses at Kilfithmone, Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary, were remanded on continuing bail by Judge Tom Teehan.

Frank Quirke, BL for the state said the case was not ready to proceed as a pathologist due to give evidence had to travel from England and he asked that the case be put back to May.

The accused are charged with the manslaughter of Graham Parish, contrary to common law at Hayes Hotel on the night of June 30/July 1, 2008.

Mr Parish was a resident at the hotel and had been celebrating his 26th birthday on the night.

The prosecution is the first case of its kind under the liquor liability laws ever taken in this country.