A lap-dancing club in Dublin, found by a judge to have permitted illegal sexual acts in its luxury penthouse suite, has been permanently put out of business.
In the Circuit Civil Court yesterday, Judge Bryan McMahon threw out an appeal by Pineton Inns Ltd against a District Court judge's refusal to grant its Barclay Club in Dublin's South William Street a music and dance licence.
"I'm convinced that whatever was going on at this club was not the kind of public dancing envisaged by the Public Dancing Act."
Judge McMahon said he was satisfied that in October last when gardaí visited the club, they found in its Clarence Suite three men in various positions being entertained by two girls who were scantily clad and a third who was totally naked.
When gardaí asked club manager Mr Gerry Harrington for an explanation he replied: "That's what lap-dancing is all about." He denied he was running a brothel.
Judge McMahon said the public dance floor area had been obstructed by furnishings and large house plants which left no space for the public to dance.
Mr Harrington, an admitted bankrupt, whose brothers Donal and John owned the club with another man, had told the court it was a rigorously controlled upmarket venue for gentlemen who paid a €25 entry fee. From a dance menu, they could request one of the ladies to perform a dance for them, the prices varying with duration of performance.
Mr Harrington had told the court a "no touching" policy was operated and notices of this had been displayed.
The club sold a fantasy and the dancing enabled patrons to fantasise.
Judge McMahon said members of the public had not been facilitated or encouraged to actively dance as the Public Dancing Act required. It was more passive fantasising than active participation.
Judge McMahon said there was inadequate control of the dancing girls once in private session in the Clarence Suite.