Pub may have licence challenged after fracas

COUNCILLORS IN Balbriggan, Co Dublin, have said they will consider challenging the licence held by John D’s pub in the town following a violent fracas there on Monday evening.

Up to 50 gardaí from Balbriggan, Swords, Donabate, Baldoyle and Lusk were called to deal with a pub brawl that escalated into a siege in the north Dublin town after a number of the pub’s customers, believed to be members of the local Travelling community, were refused service.

Over a dozen customers of John D’s took over the pub and threatened staff after being refused further service there. Staff and some customers ran out of the pub and the dozen barricaded themselves inside with chairs and tables. They smashed windows and broke up furniture.

When gardaí arrived before 7pm people in the pub threw bottles, a fire extinguisher and other missiles out on to the street at them. The Garda Public Order Unit had to be called in and part of the town was closed off to traffic until 9pm. Following an initial stand-off, gardaí rushed the premises and 13 people were arrested.

Yesterday, the windows of what was once one of the most popular pubs in the town were blocked up with wooden panels and pools of dried blood stained the concrete in the lane behind the bar.

In its heyday, John D’s had been owned and run by the late John Dempsey, nephew of Jimmy O’Dea, and was a regular haunt for actors, sportsmen and celebrities. When Mr Dempsey retired the pub changed hands on a number of occasions and it is understood it is now owned by a business consortium and leased to publican William Rowe.

When The Irish Timescalled to the pub yesterday there was no answer and subsequent phone calls to the pub went unanswered.

Locals responded with disgust at what had happened and many rushed to the defence of the local Traveller community.

Miriam Ferguson, of newsagents Day Today said most local Travellers were well known and trusted in the town. The manager of another store, who did not wish to be named, said she had feared the windows of her business would be smashed. She added that local Travellers brought a lot of good business to the town and were welcome.

Cathaoirleach of Balbriggan Town Council Seán Brown said whatever the background of those involved, their behaviour was despicable. Balbriggan was a “sedate and nice place to live and work”, and the incident was unprecedented. But, he said, he had raised concerns about the pub with gardaí in the past. Mr Brown said councillors would consider challenging the licence if the problems weren’t addressed. Independent Councillor May McKeon also said councillors would consider challenging the licence if necessary.

Traveller organisation Pavee Point said the incident should not be allowed to reflect negatively on the Traveller community in general. “Like the majority population, the vast majority of Travellers will be appalled by these actions, and will now wish for justice to be done and for peace to return to Balbriggan,” a spokesman said.