A Galway hotel which cancelled a pre-booked wedding function after it discovered the bride and groom were members of the Travelling community, and feared faction fighting would erupt on the premises, had its licence renewed yesterday despite objections from the couple, who said they had been unfairly treated by the hotel.
Granting the licence at a special hearing of Galway District Court, Judge Michael Connellan said he was accepting that the bride-to-be had been despicably and shabbily treated by the hotel manager. However, he would leave it to a civil court to deal with damages.
Ms Caroline Ward (22), of St Finbarr's Terrace, Bohermore, Galway, had objected to the renewal of the annual drinks licence at the Galway Bay Hotel, The Promenade, Salthill, Galway.
At the initial hearing in September, Miss Ward told the court that she and her boyfriend, Mr Derek Ward, of Camilawn Park, Galway, decided to marry in March 2000 and she contacted the Galway Bay Hotel for wedding reception details earlier this year.
She was told there were several dates available in March 2000 and paid a £200 deposit which secured March 10th, 2000, for the reception. The hotel wrote to her a week later confirming the booking. However, on June 29th last, Ms Ward received a letter from the hotel. The managing director, Mr Terence Brennan, said her date had been double-booked and he was now unable to take her booking. He returned her £200 deposit.
Ms Ward said she then got a friend to phone the hotel. Her friend was given a list of available dates, including the date she had booked. Ms Ward then lodged an objection to the hotel licensing application in August.
At the same time she received a letter from the hotel solicitor stating that the hotel could not accept the booking because the function was likely to attract violence.
At yesterday's hearing, a retired Garda superintendent, Mr Jim Sugrue, told the court he had met the hotel owner, Mr John O'Sullivan, at Salthill Garda station in July where he confirmed to him that there was an ongoing feud between members of the Ward clan.
Mr Justin Sadleir, representing Ms Ward, said he was appalled to think that gardai would divulge such information to a member of the public.
Afterwards, Ms Ward said she was considering taking a civil action.