Dublin nightclubs were before the courts yesterday for allowing after-hours drinking. The owners of Shafts, facing closure with a third endorsement, were granted a reprieve yesterday although Dublin District Court was told there were Garda objections to it being taken over by another company.
Shafts, owned by Moyfield of Ely Place, Dublin, had 39 previous convictions as well as two existing endorsements for after-hours drinking and was facing an additional four summonses. Solicitor, Mr John A. Reidy, said the manager, Mr Derry O'Sullivan, wished to regularise the club's position under a new company called Lacey Ltd. Moyfield Ltd was not in a position to trade as the circuit court had recently made a judgment for £20,000 against it. Mr Reidy said he had no instructions from the directors.
Moyfield Ltd had no stock or lease and even the sound equipment was owned by a different company, he said.
He added that the club, which had 12 employees, would have to close with a third endorsement and asked that the case be adjourned to October 8th when an application would be made to have a new company take over under an ad interim transfer.
Judge Timothy Crowley agreed to the adjournment after hearing that gardai were objecting to the transfer of licence.
Another Dublin nightclub received two endorsements and fines totalling £1,800 yesterday for having patrons drinking after hours on consecutive nights.
Buck Whaleys, owned by Stone head Ltd of Lower Leeson Street, Dublin, had 60 people on the premises at 3.05 a.m. on November 27th with red and white wine being consumed.
Sgt Noel Mostyn said the following morning at 3.22 a.m., 30 people were found with wine on the tables and there was no evidence of food being served.
The person in charge, Mr Brian McDonnell, did not offer any excuse for the late drinking on either occasion. Sgt Mostyn added that although the company had no previous convictions, it had previously been run under the name Rosswell Ltd by the same directors.
Judge Crowley imposed the fines for having people on the premises after hours and for drink being consumed and also fined Mr McDonnell £700.
O'Dwyer Bros, owner of Howl at the Moon, Lower Mount Street, Dublin, was fined £600 for having customers drinking beer after hours at 1.11 a.m. on November 4th.