Clare's first district court sitting of 2016 took place in a pub

The first district court of 2016 in Clare took place yesterday at the Brian Boru pub — two years after the Courts Service signalled it could be last orders for a court sitting in a licensed premises.

In January 2014, the staging of Killaloe District Court in the Ballina pub made headlines around the world, when Jenny Lauren, niece of fashion designer Ralph Lauren, appeared at the pub in relation to an air rage incident. The choice of venue after her drink-fuelled and foul-mouthed breach of the peace on board a New York-bound flight was subject to comment in the New York Post, The Daily Telegraph, ABC news, CNN, and the Sydney Morning Herald.

In the aftermath of the case, the Courts Service confirmed the staging of the court at the pub would form part of a strategic review of court venues.