IT seems to have escaped the notice of Brussels but the vision of a united Europe from the Urals to the Atlantic has been brought a little bit closer, thanks to the work of the Garda Siochana.
In a little publicised operation last summer, the Garda took control of the rebel western island of Inis Oirr. There were no injuries.
In Kilronan District Court yesterday, the operators of three pubs on the smallest of the Aran islands were each fined for a breach of the licensing laws after the court heard of an undercover operation by a lone garda who landed on the island disguised as a tourist.
The garda erected his tent late one evening and visited each of the bars, after hours and in plain clothes. Returning to base camp, he donned his uniform and before anybody could say "Ta siad ag teacht" - raided the pubs for late drinking.
Supt Jim Sugrue, prosecuting, told the court this was the first time the pubs had been prosecuted because of a difficulty in patrolling the island from the Garda base on Inis Mor. But following complaints about the late opening on the neighbouring island, an undercover garda had been sent to investigate.
Disguised as a backpacker, Garda Sean McCole arrived on Inis Oirr on August 19th last. He visited the pubs late, he said, and saw drink being served and "full pints on tables".
Returning, uniformed, from his tent, he visited each pub again. At 2.20 a.m. he returned to Mr Pauric Conneely's premises where he found people still drinking outside, blissfully unaware that the majesty of the law was about to descend.
In his defence, Mr Conneely said "every Tom, Dick and Harry knows there is no garda on the island and they [customers] just laugh when I try to get them out."
Judge John Garnvan imposed a £100 fine for allowing people to remain on the premises after hours. Mr Rory Conneely was fined £30 for having 15 people drinking on his premises at 12.45 a.m., while Mr Mairtin Flaherty, of Ostan Inis Oirr, was fined £200.