Are the courts being more lenient on after-hours drinking?

ON THE face of it, Patrick O’Sullivan appeared to get off lightly. O’Sullivan is the chairman of the Kerry GAA county board, and proprietor of the well known Killarney hostelry, Tatler Jack’s.

On Oct 1, he appeared before Killarney District Court charged with serving alcohol after-hours. The offence occurred on the night of the country final in 2012, in which local team, Dr Crokes, was playing. Over 150 patrons were “found on” the premises at 2.25am, when gardaí entered through a rear door.

A number of other breaches of the licensing laws were struck out or withdrawn. And ultimately, O’Sullivan exited the court with nothing more than a fine of €175. On the face of it, he was a very lucky man to get off that lightly.