Owner defends 'shebeen'

ONE OF the operators of a so-called shebeen operating in a rural area of Co Sligo since Good Friday insisted yesterday he was not breaking the law.

Eugene Mulligan said a pole for dancing in the premises at Lackagh, Drumfin, just off the N4, was “put in for a bit of craic”, adding that “so far we have not been able to get anyone to do any dancing”. An out-of-work blocklayer, he said he and a few friends who were also out of work had done up the shed and had been holding the “odd oul’ party there”.

Mr Mulligan said he and his friends gathered there at weekends and an odd evening to watch a match. He said he and his friends had a kitty, while visitors were invited to make donations to a box on the counter. “There is no obligation on them,”  said Mr Mulligan, who added that some visitors were “tight enough”.

In an interview with Ocean FM, Mr Mulligan said the Garda was welcome on the premises and had visited on a few occasions. Mr Mulligan said he bought the drink, including draught beer, from “legitimate sources”, and was not making any profit.

Garda sources said the premises were being monitored.

Mr Mulligan told The Irish Timeshe could not give a detailed interview as he had done a deal with a Sunday newspaper.