A father of two who admitted taking bets in his local pub was remanded on bail in Dublin District Court yesterday.
Joseph Kennedy, of Coleraine Street, Dublin, had taken four bets from an inspector of the Revenue Commissioners on May 27th and nine bets from an inspector on May 28th, in his local pub, in Stoneybatter, the court was told by Insp Brendan Martin.
The Revenue Commissioners had visited the premises after receiving complaints. Kennedy pleaded guilty to carrying on a business, or acting as a bookmaker without holding a Bookmakers' Licence, and to 13 charges of accepting bets.
Counsel for the Revenue Commissioners, Ms Patricia Moran, told the court the offence of acting as a bookmaker carried a fine of £1,000 and the offence of accepting a bet carried one of £800. However, the amount can be reduced by half on mitigation.
Kennedy told the court the betting in the pub was on night racing only, when the betting shops were closed, and between people who knew each other. The court heard he had been barred from the pub when the proprietor became aware of the betting.
Kennedy is divorced, unemployed and has two children aged 13 and 9.
Judge Claire Leonard remanded Kennedy on continuing bail for a probation report to establish whether she will recommend further mitigation on the fines by the Revenue Commissioners based on the evidence regarding his circumstances.