Losing bet and 'Jameson wine' leads to fine
MAN FINED €2,500 FOR TAKING BET
'I'D SAY the Irish tax payer is delighted to know Revenue is backing horses in shebeens in Courtown.'
This was the one of the concluding remarks by Judge David Anderson at Gorey District Court last week, after he heard how an unlicensed pub in Courtown was serving drink and also taking bets on horse races.
John Sheridan trading as An Chuilin, Ambrose Maloney's Bar, Courtown, was charged with not having a licence to sell alcohol on August 15, 2008, at Courtown; and accepting bets in a public house.
The court heard how the premises was inspected on August 15, 2008, and liquor was purchased. They were then asked for their licence to sell alcohol, and it turned out there was none.
The court also heard how a Revenue Commissioner went in and found people were placing bets in the pub. He placed a bet, paying a €10 stake for a horse in a particular race, and received a receipt for a local bookies office. The suggestion was 'the publican thought it was okay if it was done directly.'
Solicitor Peter Crean said that the defendant was a co-director of the company that owned the pub, and that there had been some difficulties with renewing the licence. Matters were now regularised, he said.
He added that Mr. Sheridan is no longer involved in running the pub, and is not now a licensee.
He also told Judge Anderson that his client didn't believe he was committing an offence by facilitating customers by taking bets. 'There was no betting shop close by and he took bets which were passed on to a bookie,' he said.
Judge Anderson then asked how the bet placed by the Revenue official fared. 'I think it was a losing bet,' he was informed. 'Revenue was placing a losing bet? That's very careless isn't it?' responded the Judge.
'The stake was very modest,' replied State Solicitor Kevin O'Doherty.
'I'd say the Irish taxpayer is delighted to know Revenue is backing horses in shebeens in Courtown,' commented the Judge.
'What type of wine did he buy?' he further enquired.
The State Solicitor leafed through his notes. 'It was 'a Jameson,' he announced.
'It was Jameson wine?' mused the judge.
For the 'bookies' charge, he fined the defendant €2,500, and took the 'Jameson wine' charge into consideration.
