Judge fines Corkman for 'running a shebeen' from the back of his car

The accused said he got involved in this activity because he owed money to the Revenue Commissioners at the time

The court heard he was selling the alcohol from the boot of his car. File photo

A 57-year-old man caught selling alcohol to students from the back of a taxi at one o’clock in the morning was effectively “running a shebeen” from the back of his car, the sentencing judge said.

John Collins of 32 Greenhills estate, South Douglas Road, Cork, was never in trouble before or since this incident.

He represented himself in Cork District Court today as he said he could not afford to pay a solicitor and he said that he got involved in this activity because he owed money to the Revenue Commissioners at the time. John Collins pleaded guilty to a number of charges arising out of the incident.

Sergeant Pat Lyons and gardaí observed the defendant after 1am on August 18, 2020, at Gilabbey Street, Cork.

“He was standing outside the back of a taxi and there was a large quantity of alcohol in the boot of the car. He was selling the alcohol from the boot,” Sergeant Lyons said.

As soon as he was questioned about the matter he told gardaí he was trying to clear a large debt to Revenue.

“Obviously he did not have a licence to sell intoxicating liquor from the car,” Sgt Lyons said.

Judge Olann Kelleher asked what the value of the alcohol was and Sgt Lyons said it was worth €320.

“He was going to student accommodation selling to students,” Sgt Lyons said. The judge said he presumed that the alcohol was being sold at a cut price.

John Collins told Judge Kelleher he was in the process of trying to get his public service licence at the time but did not have one.

Judge Kelleher said: 

You were operating what I would classify as a shebeen from the back of your car.

The judge fined him €500 on the charge of exposing for sale a large quantity of beer, lager and spirits valued €320 without being duly licensed to sell such intoxicating liquor. He was fined €850 for failing to have insurance and €100 for not have a PSV licence. 

The alcohol at the centre of the case was forfeited to the State for destruction. Judge Kelleher said that because the defendant had no previous convictions he would not disqualify him from driving on the insurance charge.