A "vulgar" and "schoolboyish" dating promotion - labelled "Shagtag" - was cancelled at a Co Mayo nightclub following an objection by a Garda superintendent.
District Court Judge Mary Devins described the promotion as demeaning and indecent after it had been brought to her attention by Supt Pat Doyle.
The proprietors of Panama Jack's Nightclub at the Royal Travellers' Friend Hotel, Castlebar, decided to drop the "date-game promotion", organised by Dublin based Twist Media, after objections by Supt Doyle to an exemption for the event.
Supt Doyle said at Westport Court that advertisements for "Shagtag" appeared in the local media and he found the concept "offensive".
The rules of the game specified that everyone attending the promotion would receive a sticker with a number on it to wear.
If they saw someone they fancied, they could leave a message for them at a special "Shagtag"desk.
Twist Media has expressed disbelief at the reaction to its promotion in Mayo, which was to have been held last weekend, stating that it was harmless fun.
"We are surprised that educated people should feel threatened or incensed by a creative event which hosts harmless flirting and affords people a chance to meet each other," a spokesman for Twist said yesterday.
Mr Pat Jennings, owner of the Royal Travellers' Friend, stressed the hotel had no part in the promotion.