A bar in which a 17-year-old youth was served drink without being asked for proof of age yesterday became the first in Dublin to face a closure order under recent legislation to combat under-age drinking. Lacefield Taverns Ltd, trading as the Sidewalk Bar, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin, was ordered to be closed for four days and was fined €1,000 for the offence, which occurred on June 16th last year. The pub is to appeal the decision.
A number of other pubs and off-licences in Dublin which were prosecuted under the same law in recent months were cleared following court hearings.
Dublin District Court heard that Ciarán Power, who was a month short of his 18th birthday, went into the bar with a 17-year-old friend at about 8 p.m. They asked for two pints and the barman served them without asking for identity cards. About an hour later, a Garda inspector and sergeant entered the bar and asked them their names and ages. The bar manager, Mr Greg Moorehead, admitted that the two had not been asked for proof of age.
Judge Leo Malone said that since it was the company's first conviction, he would order closure for four days. He fined the manager, Mr Moorehead, €300 and set recognisances for appeal at €600.