Ballymote publican ‘served with every summons under sun’

A Ballymote publican has been directed to donate money to charity after it was heard people were found in the bar after hours.

Gerry Gormley with an address at Carrowgavneen Coolooney, the owner of Gormley’s pub in Ballymote was charged with a number of offences relating to people in his pub after closing time.

On December 23rd last gardaí inspected the premises at 1.32am and found ‘quite a few people’ on the premises, with the pub ‘in full operation’, according to Sergeant Derek Butler.

Gormley was charged with keeping a premises open for the sale of intoxicating liquor and permitting people to be on the premises, along with a further five charges.

Gardaí took a sample of names from the people who were on the premises after hours; Kevin Muldoon of Castleburn, Ballymote, Thomas Barrett of Balysungahan, Sooey and Gerard Pilkington of Kilshalvey, Gurteen.

Judge Kevin Kilrane struck out the matters against the men.

Defending solicitor, Mr Gerard McGovern described the publican as a ‘ hard working decent man’ who never had any trouble with the gardaí.

He said on the night in question a Christmas party had arrived from another premises late and ordered drinks.

Mr McGovern said his client had a clean pub licence and was highly respected by the gardaí.

Judge Kevin noted Mr Gormley was also charged with permitting drunkeness on the premises and questioned this.

Mr McGovern said he believed one of the gardaí was just out of training college and issued ‘every summons under the sun’.

Judge Kilrane instructed that the publican donate €200 to Saint Vincent de Paul in Ballymote and struck out the matters.