St Julian’s local council rebuts allegations made by pub owners over St Patrick’s celebrations

The St Julian’s local council has criticised a warrant of prohibitory injunction filed by Ryan’s Pub, Tigullio and Saddles Bar regarding the council’s decision to grant exclusive rights for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations to Massive Promotions.

The injunction relates to the decision to grant Philip Gatt and Melchior Vassallo, on behalf of Massive Promotions, exclusive rights to the street stands, which serve beverages, for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in St Julian’s on 17 March.

The stands will also be allowed to play music outside.

The reply, which was released by lawyer Stefano Filletti, who was representing the St Julian’s local council, says that Mr Gatt’s proposal was similar to other proposals involving celebration within the area, and that it was on his own initiative that he was available to acquire said authorisation.

The defendants said that the plaintiffs failed to mention in their injunction that they had already been given permission to set up stands outside their own entertainment establishments on St Patrick’s Day.

The stands will be able to serve drinks but will not be able to play music outdoors.

The defendants also fought claims that they had demanded a payment of €2,000 from Mr Gatt, explaining that this was collected in order to fund cleaning and repair expenses.

This, they said, was evidence enough that the defendants wished to have the exclusive rights to themselves. The reply also claimed that the injunction will mean that the council will be prevented from issuing permits.