District Court Judge John Garavan, who since the introduction of the new extended pub opening hours has been causing quite a stir in Galway, is no stranger to controversy. A native of Castlebar, Co Mayo, where he still lives, Judge Garavan (65), was appointed a "movable" District Court Judge in May 1974, and assigned to Galway District Number 7, in July, 1982.
It is clear to everyone who knows him that he enjoys his position very much and it is expected he will continue to sit on the bench in Galway for the foreseeable future. Judges who reach the age of 65, must apply yearly for an extension until they reach 70 when they must then retire.
During his term on the bench in Galway he has been an outspoken critic of the way in which public order offences have increased in the city in recent times. He is no longer "movable" on this, his pet hate, and makes no attempt to hide his views that drink is the root of the problem.
In court just last week the judge remarked that Supermac's window at its Eyre Square restaurant is broken every weekend and he attributed this to people drinking too much late at night. He has often said he cannot abide violent crimes and will deal severely with them. From the outset of the latest controversy, Judge Garavan made it clear to local nightclub owners that he would not facilitate them under the terms of the new legislation and he has stuck rigidly to this.
He stated he was concerned about the safety of the ordinary citizen's of Galway and in refusing to extend exemption licences for many nightclubs, said longer opening hours would just cause more mayhem on the streets, not just at weekends, but throughout the week as well.
At yesterday's sitting of Galway District Court, Judge Mary Devins, who was filling in for Judge Garavan, said she would not deviate from his decision and many late opening applications before her were granted in accordance with his earlier judgment.
An affable, good-humoured man, and a great fan of the Ally McBeal television show, Judge Garavan has enjoyed a good rapport with solicitors in his district. However, local solicitor, Mr Geoffrey Browne, sought to appeal Judge Garvan's decision in relation to one application for late night opening, before Judge Harvey Kenny, who is currently sitting at Galway Circuit Court yesterday.
Judge Kenny refused to take the appeal at such short notice and it will not come before his court until October.
This means that Galway will have a relatively quiet summer on its streets - at least during the wee, small hours, which will make Judge Garavan very happy indeed.