A RIOT broke out between Limerick and Tipperary hurling supporters and gardai were called to clear a disco, Limerick District Court heard yesterday.
The incident occurred on July 7th on the dance floor of Feathery Burke's Nightclub in the Shannon Arms in Henry Street.
Judge Michael O'Reilly was hearing objections to the renewal of the intoxicating liquor licence of Radio Limerick One, trading in the premises known as the Shannon Arms.
Garda Joe Guilfoyle told the court that he saw about 150 people standing around the basement entrance and the steps of the disco. He went into the main bar where three bouncers told him there was a "riot in the disco".
He added: "There was pandemonium and bottles and glasses were flying all over the place. The crowd was very volatile and very angry. I could not find who was in charge and patrons were trying to help each other," he said.
There was no control and no organisation and had there been a fire or other serious incident it would have been a disaster.
He said a crowd of youths picked on one man in a snug out of sight of the main disco area.
The man was taken to hospital and there was a free for all. The security people were in the bar and were afraid to go downstairs.
Garda Mary Flynn said it took 45 minutes to bring the situation under control. The floor was covered with broken glasses and bottles.
Sgt Gerry McNamara said that from October 1995 to August 1996, 53 incidents were reported to the gardai concerning activities inside and near the premises.
They ranged from rows outside the premises, damage to cars, youths causing annoyance nearby and noisy music and using front doors of local residents' homes as toilet areas.
Local residents gave evidence of an unacceptable level of noise between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.
Ms Mary Wilson, Henry Street, gave evidence of brawling on the streets by people coming out of the Shannon Arms and drinking in front of residents' houses. The street was used regularly as a toilet.
Damage costing about £2,000 was done to a car and residents cannot now park their cars in the street.
The manager of the Shannon Arms, Mr Frank Carbery, said that on July 7th, Limerick and Tipperary supporters clashed on the dance floor. Seven security employees were unable to control the situation and the gardai were called.
"Since the incident we have changed all our security and we sacked the head of security. The situation has improved very much since then," said Mr Carbery.
Mr Pat Barriscale, solicitor for the applicant, said there was one serious incident and another incident concerning after hours drinking. He said that given the serious efforts made to promote the restaurant, which had not proved successful to date, it would be unfair and unreasonable not to renew the licence.
Judge Reilly said that the applicants were not running a bona fide restaurant and he was refusing the licence. He also refused the drink and dance licence and in the event of an appeal he fixed recognisances for £5,000.
During the hearing of objections in another case, Judge Reilly asked Supt Tony Kennelly, prosecuting, for the Garda view on the times of public dancing licences to be granted generally in Limerick.
Supt Kennelly said that provided the managements of the premises complied with the liquor licensing laws, the gardai would have no objection to dancing until 2 a.m.
Another Limerick licensed premises, the Shelbourne Bar, 2/3 Shelbourne Terrace, also lost its licence after the court had heard evidence of several serious incidents including the stabbing of a man in the face and stomach in the toilet, a woman assaulted after she left the premises and losing an eye, and a man suffering a broken jaw and broken ribs.