Eyes down: Bingo premises finally opens for business

THE first numbers were last night finally called at the 1,000-seater Cork bingo hall raided by gardaí on Tuesday evening just 30 minutes before it was due to open.

Within the first hour of opening, over 500 men and women of all ages had flocked through the doors of the Rock Bingo Centre in Togher — and within minutes the first whistles spread across the massive hall as caller John Purcell announced a “legs 11”.

Rock Bingo Centre was due to open at 6.30pm on Tuesday, but at 6pm gardaí raided the premises and seized the bingo books meaning the hundreds of people who turned up to play were left disappointed.

That was in spite of the fact that last weekend — in advance of Tuesday’s raid — the Barber family, which owns Rock Bingo, had successfully taken a High Court case after what they saw as an attempt by the state to prevent them from opening a legitimate and lawful enterprise.

On Wednesday morning the family were forced to seek another emergency sitting of the High Court.

There they claimed Togher gardaí were operating a “systematic policy” of ensuring gambling did not take place in the area.

At that hearing Rock Bingo was granted an interim order returnable to today, and given the green light to open the doors for business immediately.

The Barber family have invested over €700,000 in what they say is a state-of-the-art entertainment centre bringing 30 new jobs to the area.

As operators of a bingo establishment, the company must work with a beneficiary charity and non-profit organisations that hold current lottery licences. The beneficiary of last night’s games was the Mercy Hospital Foundation.

Last night, director and co-owner David Barber spoke of his relief that the first numbers were finally being called at the former Waters Glass premises in Togher. “Everyone at Rock Bingo is thrilled to be finally up and running. All our staff are here and are happy with the way it is going. With the investment we have put in and the jobs we have created it has all been worthwhile. We are also thrilled with the support we have received from the local community.”

The first winner of a “full house” in the new premises was Breda Bransfield from Blackrock, an experienced bingo player who received €40 for her win.

“The facility is fantastic, brilliant altogether,” she said. “There is a grand atmosphere. We badly needed it. There are facilities around the place, but this is better. It is comfortable. People will have to get used to it.”