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Man admits running shebeen
‘hoolies’
20.10.11
A CARNDONAGH man who
sold alcohol at ‘hoolies’ in a barn has been told to
pay €500 to a local charity.
Joe 'Paul' Doherty admitted illicitly selling beer
and spirits to patrons in a large converted
outbuilding to the rear of his home at Ballyloskey,
Carndonagh.
The evenings were dubbed the 'Hooley at the Barn'
and were attended by people after the pubs closed,
Carndonagh District Court heard.
Gardaí went to the premises under warrant at 1.40am
on July 25, 2010. There were a number of cars
outside and inside they found two women sitting at
an entrance table. Music was playing and some 40
people were in the premises. There was dancing and
people drinking beer and spirits out of glasses, the
court was told.
Patrons were charged €5 for a "cloakroom ticket"
which entitled them to two free drinks at a stocked
bar to the rear. The cloakroom tickets were entered
into a raffle at the end of the night to win a
dinner for two. Further tickets could be purchased
in return for more drinks, the court heard. |
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Joe 'Paul' Doherty's outbuilding at
Ballyloskey, Carndonagh, where patrons attended 'Hoolies
at the Barn'. |
Mr Doherty, who runs a
power-washing service, admitted to gardaí on the
night that he did not have an alcohol licence or a
public dance licence.
He said that, after expenses, he gave the money to
local charities. The dance on the night in question
was in aid of a local soccer club.
Defence solicitor, Frank Dorrian, said his client, a
married man in his 50s with children, was heavily
involved in community activities. He had been
"completely candid" and explained the whole
operation to gardaí on the night. Mr Dorrian said Mr
Doherty, who had no previous convictions, genuinely
believed that because there were no cash
transactions made at the bar, it did not constitute
selling drink.
"It was not his intention to become a rich man. It
was a diversion, a bit of fun in the community,"
said Mr Dorrian. Judge Paul Kelly said times were
tough enough for licensed vintners without illicit
operators.
"Trade is difficult for people who are licensed and
compliant. People trading outside the law are adding
to the difficulties of legitimate people," said the
judge.
He said if the defendant was "well disposed towards
local charities" he would ask him to contribute to
one. He ordered him to donate €500 to Inishowen
autism support group, iCARE. He allowed the
defendant two months to pay the money and adjourned
the case until December 20 when Mr Doherty is likely
to get the benefit of the Probation Act. |
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