Trial of barmen to enter final stages

Evidence is expected to conclude today in the trial of two hotel workers accused of the manslaughter of a guest who died of alcohol poisoning at Hayes's Hotel in Tipperary, in 2008.

The hotel's bar manager Gary Wright and barman Aidan Dalton, both from Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary, deny manslaughter "through gross negligence".

The deceased, Graham Parish, of Lancashire in England, downed 10 shots of spirits in one go from a pint glass, served by Aidan Dalton and okayed by Gary Wright.

Both accused men said they believed the cocktail was to be shared among six men and not Mr Parish alone.

Mr Dalton told gardaí he would never have served the 10 shots of spirits in a pint glass if he had known Mr Parish was going to drink it himself in one go.

Bar manager Mr Wright admitted telling Mr Dalton it was ok to serve the cocktail as he believed, like Mr Dalton, the drink was to be shared between Mr Parish and five others.

Despite the two accused having well over 13 years' experience between them working at the Hayes Hotel bar, both men told gardaí they had never received training on the serving dangerous levels of alcohol.

However, one of their main duties was to make sure that a reasonable care for every guest at the hotel was taken.

The trial is expected to enter its final stages today.