Rugby tour ‘agent’ calls it a day
Pamela Hickey angered travel agents by undercutting them with bargain basement fares.
The authorities also cried foul and she was prosecuted at Limerick District Court on February 9 last.
She was fined for operating as a tour operator without a licence and for conducting a travel agent’s business without a licence.
As she walked from court, Munster fans hugged and clapped her.
Ms Hickey, aged 32, who lives in Patrickswell was fined €1,000 and ordered to pay €500 costs.
Ms Hickey claimed she made no money out of bringing the Munster fans abroad to games.
The unlicensed 2003 charter for which she was in court included flight and two nights in a top-class hotel at a cost of €320.
Travel agents were charging €540 for a similar package.
Ms Hickey operated under the name Munster Sporting Club and inspectors from the Department of Transport interviewed her at Shannon before one charter left for Bourgoin in France.
She accepted that she had no licence at the time.
Speaking from her home last night, Ms Hickey said she was concentrating on a new crèche venture and this was taking up all her time.
She said: “I recently sold a crèche, Step by Step in Raheen, which caters for 150 children. I am in the process of opening a new crèche in Limerick which will cater for 180 children.”
Ms Hickey said many upcoming away games will involve English clubs in the Heineken European Cup.
“Fans will be able to avail of the many low cost airline services to the UK from Shannon,” she said. “So there won’t be the same demand for a special charter.”
Ms Hickey said she would continue to travel and support the Munster team.
“It will be great to travel without having the hassle of organising things,” she said.
Pamela’s daughter, Jessica, who is not yet three, is showing signs of following mum as a big rugby fan.
“While her friends sing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’, Jessica knows every verse of ‘Ireland’s Call’,” she said.
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