This article is from page 8 of the 2006-06-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
A COURT has heard that a Lahinch nightclub was overcrowded when it was inspected by gardaí and fire services officers, last summer.
Before Ennistymon District Court was Gangarelli Ltd, of Aberdeen Arms Hotel, Lahinch, arising out of an inspection at the Coast nightclub, on July 31, 2005.
Sergeant Michael Gallery said he found 417 people on the premises, sixteen of whom were staff. The limit, under the licence, was 335.
The accused’s barrister said the second last dance licence was applied for in February 2005, which included a limit of 335 people.
She said that once certain fire and safety works were carried out, the premises could hold 535 people and these works were completed in June 2005.
However, the licence, which would allow 535 people on the premises, was not applied for until last September.
When that application came before the court on September 7 last year, there were no Garda objections.
She said that it was accepted that 417 people were on the premises on the night of the inspection but that “no persons were in any danger.”
The barrister pointed out that the management operated a ticketing system.
This was to ensure that no more than 470 people were on the premises on any night, according to counsel.
She said that Gangarelli has since handed over the licence to another licensee.
Judge Joseph Mangan said he was declining jurisdiction. He adjourned the case for preparation of the Book of Evidence.