Three settled Travellers who appealed against the renewal of licences for six publicans in Charleville, Co Cork, lost their case in Mallow Circuit Court yesterday.
The three women alleged the publicans were involved in a conspiracy not to serve them. But this was rejected by Judge A.G. Murphy. Ms Kathleen and Ms Helen O'Driscoll, of Rosewood Drive, Baker's Road, Charleville, told the court they had gone out for a drink in Charleville in October 1998 and also in April 1999 on the day the children of the town made their confirmation. They said they were embarrassed and upset when they were refused service in a number of public houses.
They and Ms Bridget McDonagh, Batt Donegan Place, Charleville, objected to the renewal of licence for publicans Mr Tadhg O'Connell, Mr Jeremiah Mulcahy, Ms Mary Gough, of Geary's Bar, Mr Seamus Madigan, Mr Edward O'Donovan and Mr Noel O'Toole.
Mr O'Connell said Ms McDonagh and her husband Paddy were barred from his premises because they had been abusive towards him and his staff. Mr David Sutton, for the defence, argued they had a right to refuse customers they believed would be troublesome.