An application to provide an open-air bar for the first time at the Rose of Tralee festival was described as “a new departure” by a District Court judge today.
Judge James O’Connor adjourned the matter a number of times at Tralee District Court before finally granting the application on being assured that prices would be the same “outdoors as indoors”.
Some 20 per cent of the profits are to go to the Donal Walsh charity foundation and the rest are to be ploughed into the festival, the court was told.
The judge instructed gardaí to monitor the price of drinks so that the public was “not fleeced”.
Sandy Leane of the Abbey Inn, Tralee, representing more than 33 Tralee vintners, applied for an occasional licence for an area near Pearse Park, Denny Street, for the Sunday night open-air concert on August 18th.
The judge questioned the need for the bar, saying his feeling was that it was not necessary.
“There had been no bar previously and did the people survive?” he asked.
Insp Donal Ashe said gardaí had met the organisers and agreed on security. Plastic cups would be used, and there would be wine and beer but no spirits.