A lap-dancing club where gardaí said they saw a naked woman being touched by a customer as they lay together on a couch is fighting objections to its licence.
The Barclay Club, at South William Street, Dublin, denies Garda claims that it facilitated, fostered or encouraged illegal activity on the night of a surprise Garda inspection on October 25th last.
Yesterday a lawyer for the club sought further details about the alleged "couch incident" so that it could fully defend the latest objection.
Mr Michael O'Higgins, for the State, said the club already had details of the evidence that would be present in the form of statements from a Garda inspector and sergeant who visited that night.
Dublin District Court heard that when gardaí went into a room in the club, they saw three couples, consisting of three dancers and three male customers. One of the women was standing up replacing her clothing, and another was dancing topless at the feet of the man sitting on a couch.
On another couch, officers saw a naked woman lying over a man who was touching her breasts, buttocks and pubic area.
When the gardaí asked what was going on, the manager said: "That was lap-dancing." Only one of the three customers had been identified.
A solicitor for the club, Mr Bill Holohan, said that in order to properly defend the case, the gardaí should supply the names of the other witnesses.
The claims by gardaí, which were in essence that there was illegal activity taking place that night, were being strongly contested by the club manager.
Mr Holohan was also seeking more information on a demand by gardai that the club should shut at 3 a.m. on the grounds of "public policy". Judge Timothy Lucey said this was an application for renewal of dancing, music and singing licences and not a criminal trial. The impression could be given that this was simply stalling.
The case should go ahead, and he adjourned it until next week.
Mr Holohan also asked if he could be told which judge would be hearing the case as he was concerned about possible bias if it was the president of the District Court, Judge Peter Smithwick.
The president had recently said he disapproved of lapdacing as it was not public dancing and should be stopped.
Judge Lucey said Mr Holohan's concerns could be conveyed through the court registrar.